loss
5 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
losses
plural
losses
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOSS
1
a
:
failure to keep or to continue to have something
[noncount]
— usually + of
-
the mayor's loss of support/influence
-
Surgeons were unable to control the loss of blood in the victim.
-
Symptoms include insomnia and loss of appetite.
-
Both accidents were attributed to the drivers' loss of control.
-
The recession has caused the loss of many jobs.
-
The accident caused enormous loss of life. [=many people died in the accident]
[singular]
— usually + of
-
a loss of innocence
-
The victim died from a loss of blood to the brain.
[plural]
-
There have been heavy job losses because of the recession. [=many people have been laid off]
b
[noncount]
:
the experience of having something taken from you or destroyed
— usually + of
-
The storm caused widespread loss of electricity.
-
soldiers who have suffered the loss of a limb [=soldiers who have had an arm or leg destroyed or so badly injured that it had to be removed]
2
[count]
:
money that is spent and that is more than the amount earned or received
—
see also at a loss (below)
-
The company's losses for the year were higher than expected.
-
profits and losses
-
They took a loss on the deal. [=the deal cost them money; they lost money on the deal]
-
The business is operating at a loss. [=the business is spending more money than it is earning]
-
They sold the property at a (considerable) loss. [=for less than they paid for it]
3
:
failure to win a game, contest, etc.
[noncount]
-
A careless error resulted in the loss of the game.
[count]
-
The team suffered a 3–2 loss in the last game.
-
The team has an equal number of wins and losses.
-
the party's losses in the recent election
4
a
:
a decrease in something or in the amount of something
[singular]
-
The plane experienced a loss of altitude.
[noncount]
-
We need to determine the loss in value due to the damage.
-
The new windows reduce heat loss by 15 percent.
-
Don't be concerned about the loss of a few pounds. You're still a healthy weight.
-
Side effects of the treatment include nausea and hair loss.
-
memory/weight loss
b
[singular]
:
a decrease in value by a specified amount
-
The stock market had a loss of four percent yesterday.
5
[noncount]
a
:
the death of a relative, friend, etc.
— usually + of
-
She mourned the loss of her parents.
-
the loss of a dear friend to cancer
b
:
the experience of having someone leave
— usually + of
-
The company has had to deal with the loss [=departure] of several key employees.
c
:
a feeling of sadness that you have when someone dies, leaves, etc.
-
Their deaths left everyone with a great/deep sense of loss.
-
The feeling of loss you experienced after your divorce is not uncommon.
6
[singular]
:
something that causes harm, sadness, etc., to a group or organization
-
Their deaths were a great loss to the community.
-
His retirement was a real loss to the company.
7
[singular]
:
something that is completely destroyed
-
After the flood, the crops were a total loss.
-
No one was injured in the accident, but the car was a complete loss.
8
losses
[plural]
:
soldiers killed, wounded, or captured in battle
-
During the battle the allies suffered/sustained/took/experienced heavy losses.
9
[count]
American football
:
the distance the ball is moved away from the goal during a play
-
There was a gain of five yards on first down, but a loss of three yards on second down.
at a loss
:
not able to decide what should be done or said
—
see also loss 2 (above)
-
I don't know what to do. I'm at a (complete) loss.
-
They were at a loss to explain [=they were unable to explain] why it took so long to correct the problem.
at a loss for words
chiefly US
:
unable to think of anything to say
-
I was so surprised to see her that I was at a loss for words. [=(chiefly Brit) lost for words]
cut your losses
:
to stop an activity, business, etc., that is failing in order to prevent more losses or damage
-
With the economy continuing to do poorly, many investors have decided to cut their losses and sell their stocks.
it's your loss
◊ People say that something is your loss when you choose not to do something that they think would help you or that you would enjoy.
-
If she doesn't want to come to the party, it's her loss.
throw (someone) for a loss
:
to cause (someone) to be very amazed, confused, or shocked
-
Recent revelations have thrown me for a loss. [=(more commonly) for a loop]
