grossing

Grossing is a term used in several fields to describe the act or result of producing or calculating a total amount before deductions. As a verb, to gross means to earn or generate revenue. The precise meaning depends on the domain, but it generally contrasts with net or per-unit measures.

In film and entertainment, grossing most commonly refers to box office gross: the total revenue earned from ticket sales for a film or show, before costs, distributors’ cuts, marketing, and other expenses. This figure can be reported domestically or worldwide and is used to gauge market performance, set release strategies, and compare titles. However, gross revenue does not reflect profitability or ancillary income.

In pathology, grossing denotes the macroscopic examination of a surgical specimen or organ. A pathologist records size, weight, color, texture, and notable features, and selects representative areas for microscopic analysis. The grossed description guides further histological processing and diagnosis and clarifies the specimen’s clinical context.

Outside medicine, gross can refer to totals before deductions in finance or logistics, such as gross revenue or gross weight. Gross weight includes packaging and contents, while net or tare weight excludes packaging. Gross income is earnings before taxes and other deductions, informing budgeting and accounting, though it does not equal take-home pay.

In summary, grossing is a context-dependent term for total measures prior to adjustment, with common applications in entertainment revenue, pathological specimen analysis, and financial metrics.