spoilage

noun

spoil·age ˈspȯi-lij

Synonyms of spoilage

: the act or process of spoiling

especially : the process of decay in foodstuffs

: something spoiled or wasted

: loss by spoilage

Examples of spoilage in a Sentence

The milk should be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. in the days before refrigeration, spoilage was a constant problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Unknown hackers took over the refrigeration in hundreds of supermarkets across France, raising temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, causing massive spoilage. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 And Krutsinger notes that nyjer seeds need extra protection from moisture—even small amounts of humidity can cause clumping or spoilage. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026 If the split area doesn’t show signs of spoilage, give the banana a sniff. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026 Produce can still potentially be unsafe without obvious signs of spoilage. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spoilage

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of spoilage was in 1597

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

spoilable

spoilage

spoilation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spoilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoilage. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

spoilage

noun

spoil·age ˈspȯi-lij

: the action of spoiling or the condition of being spoiled

spoilage

noun

Synonyms of spoilage

Examples of spoilage in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on spoilage

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes