corrode

verb

cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd 

corroded; corroding

transitive verb

1

: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing

especially : to wear away gradually usually by chemical action

the metal was corroded beyond repair

2

: to weaken or destroy gradually : undermine

manners and miserliness that corrode the human spirit

—Bernard De Voto

intransitive verb

: to undergo corrosion

corrodible

kə-ˈrō-də-bəl 

adjective

Did you know?

Corrode comes from Latin corrodere ("to gnaw to pieces"), a combination of the prefix "cor-" (used here as an intensifier with the meaning of "completely") and the verb "rodere" ("to gnaw"). At one time, "corrode" was used to literally indicate the action of gnawing away, as in "woodworms corroded the wood." But it is the more figurative senses from the action of gnawing or eating away that have persisted, as in "salt water corroded the iron" or "graphic content on television and the Internet is corroding the moral fabric of society."

Synonyms

• bite (at)
• eat
• erode
• fret
• gnaw
• nibble

Examples of corrode in a Sentence

Rainwater may corrode the steel containers.

Over time, the pipes become corroded and need to be replaced.

After a few weeks in the ocean, the boat began to corrode.

Years of lies and secrets had corroded their relationship.

Recent Examples on the Web

Disinfect with Hydrogen Peroxide While bleach is an acceptable cleaner for many surfaces, there are some surfaces where bleach could potentially corrode if too highly concentrated or if left too long. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024

Initial inspections found the pipes at the Michigan plant are severely corroded. —Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Nov. 2024

The issues are caused when water penetrates a smart lock and corrodes the metal or causes the device to short-circuit. —Abigail Singrey, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2024

Inside were some trinkets: two china bowls, beads and buttons, the compressed remains of what might have been leather hats, and two heavily corroded, but recognizably silver, watches. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corroden, borrowed from Latin corrōdere "to gnaw, chew up," from cor-, variant before r of com- com- + rōdere "to gnaw, nibble, eat away" — more at rodent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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Kids Definition

corrode

verb

cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd 

corroded; corroding

: to eat or be eaten away by degrees as if by gnawing

a bridge corroded by rust

Medical Definition

corrode

verb

cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd 

corroded; corroding

transitive verb

: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing

especially : to wear away gradually usually by chemical action

intransitive verb

: to undergo corrosion