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
▪ 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
▪ 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] — see also at a loss (below) 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 temperature 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 or 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.