erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən 

1

a

: the action or process of eroding

b

: the state of being eroded

2

: an instance or product of erosion

erosional

i-ˈrō-zh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

erosionally

i-ˈrō-zh(ə-)nəl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• attrition
• corrosion
• undermining
• waste

Examples of erosion in a Sentence

Landscapers planted grass to stop the erosion of the hillside.

Centuries of erosion by wind have carved grooves in the rocks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Research also found a troubling correlation between the receipt of these funds and the erosion of free speech norms, alongside a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

The United States under Biden has issued declarations about its worries over human rights and civil liberties and judicial elections, basically commenting on the erosion of democracy in Mexico. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025

Democrats have been quick to criticize the trend, saying the erosion of guardrails surrounding online content is clearly aimed at appeasing Trump to the benefit of the tech companies’ bottom lines. —Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025

Shielding the Earth from flows of solar wind, the magnetic field, also called the magnetosphere, preserves and protects Earth’s atmosphere from atmospheric erosion. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing erosion

• gully erosion

Kids Definition

erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən 

: the action or process of eroding : the state of being eroded

erosional

-ˈrōzh-nəl 

-ˈrō-zhən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən 

1

a

: the superficial destruction of a surface area of tissue (as mucous membrane) by inflammation, ulceration, or trauma

erosion of the uterine cervix

b

: progressive loss of the hard substance of a tooth

2

: an instance or product of erosion

a circular erosion on the skin