schrumpfen

Schrumpfen is a German verb meaning to become smaller or to contract. The corresponding noun Schrumpfung (or Schrumpfen when used as a gerund) describes the process itself. The concept is used across disciplines and generally refers to a reduction in size, volume, or quantity, often caused by loss of heat, moisture, or other external factors.

In physics and materials science, shrinkage occurs when a material contracts as it cools, dries, or otherwise changes state. Examples include metal casting shrinkage during solidification, polymer shrinkage on cooling, and the contraction of wood or concrete due to drying or moisture changes. Thermal and mechanical stresses can also induce shrinkage in various components and assemblies.

In textiles, washing, drying, or exposure to moisture can cause fabrics—especially natural fibers such as cotton or wool—to shrink. Care labels often advise pre-shrinking or specific laundering conditions to mitigate unwanted Schrumpfung. Finishing processes may aim to control or standardize shrinkage to achieve a stable garment size.

In biology and medicine, Schrumpfen describes a reduction in size of tissues or organs, or a decrease in cell volume, known as atrophy. It can result from aging, disuse, nutritional deficiency, disease, or after injury. The term is used to denote qualitative and quantitative size changes within living systems.

In demography and economics, the verb is used metaphorically to describe declining numbers, for example a population, workforce, or market that shrinks over time. The concept of shrinkage is thus a multi-domain descriptor of size reduction.