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Mass loss (stellar mass loss) is associated with stars in some of the possible phases of stellar evolution. The Sun's solar wind takes away mass continually though slowly as do coronal mass ejections. Asymptotic giant branch stars have a much higher stellar wind that significantly reduces its mass, and it is during such significant phases that the term mass loss is common.
In a more general sense, the term mass loss for stars may also be due to the star physically exceeding its own Hill radius, which can happen in a giant phase or when a binary star is sufficiently close to its more massive or more compact companion.