Definition of "loss" in English

noun

1. (countable) The result of no longer possessing an object, a function, or a characteristic due to external causes or misplacement.

   • loss of limb; weight loss; loss of cognitive functions; loss of appetite.
   • In other areas, glacier loss creates serious risk of a dry period across the Third Pole, Wang said.

2. (uncountable) The destruction or ruin of an object.

3. (countable) Something that has been destroyed or ruined.

   • It was a terrible crash; both cars were total losses.

4. (countable) Defeat; an instance of being defeated.

   • The match ended in their first loss of the season.

5. (countable) The death of a person or animal.

   • We mourn his loss.
   • The battle was won, but losses were great.

6. (uncountable) The condition of grief caused by losing someone or something, especially someone who has died.

   • Her daughter's sense of loss eventually led to depression.

7. (financial, countable) The sum an entity loses on balance.

   • The sum of expenditures and taxes minus total income is a loss, when this difference is positive.

8. (engineering) Electricity of kinetic power expended without doing useful work.

   • The inefficiency of many old-fashioned power plants exceeds 60% loss before the subsequent losses during transport over the grid.

verb

1. (colloquial) Alternative spelling of lost.