ScienceJuly 31, 2026
deadweight
DED-wayt
Definition
A loss of economic efficiency that occurs when the equilibrium for a good or service is not Pareto optimal, resulting in a net loss to society.
Etymology
Originating in the late 17th century, the term originally referred to the heavy, non-paying load on a ship, or the weight of a ship itself not carrying cargo. It evolved to describe any burden that yields no productive benefit.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the annual economic loss experienced by consumers due to tariffs, representing wealth destroyed or value not realized within the market.
Household-Level Cost Burdens of Section 338 Trade Actions Against Canada and China: An Empirical Economic Analysis of Consumers
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