What does the term "market failure" refer to in economics?

The term "market failure" in economics refers to a scenario where the allocation of goods and services by a free market is not efficient, resulting in a loss of economic welfare. This inefficiency can occur due to various reasons such as externalities, public goods, market power imbalances, and information asymmetries. In such cases, the market fails to produce outcomes that maximize social welfare, meaning that some resources may be overused while others may be underutilized, leading to the overall inefficiency in the economy.

Choosing this context, welfare loss signifies that certain individuals or groups may be worse off as a result of the market's inability to allocate resources effectively. It is vital to note that the term does not imply that markets are inherently inefficient; rather, it indicates specific instances where the mechanism does not produce optimal outcomes for society as a whole.