ETYM as. los loss, losing, from leósan to lose. Related to Lose.
(Irregular plural: losses).
1. Decline in activity.
2. Something that is lost.
3. The act of losing.
4. The amount by which the cost of a business exceeds its revenue.
5. The disadvantage that results from losing something; or; SYN. deprivation.
6. The experience of losing a loved one.
In business, the opposite of profit, when revenues are less than costs.