corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

1

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

2

: a product of corroding

Synonyms

• attrition
• erosion
• undermining
• waste

Examples of corrosion in a Sentence

the corrosion of family values that is often brought on by great wealth

Recent Examples on the Web

Protect Your Lawn Mower A coating of WD-40 will protect your lawn mower parts from rusting and corrosion. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 May 2025

Over the years, Fallingwater has been experiencing water leaks into its interiors and has seen cracks, rust, and corrosion begin to form across some structures. —Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025

The government had been planning to conduct the requisite inspections and repairs to extend the life of select reactors in the fleet to 50 years when stress corrosion issues were found in several of the reactors, necessitating shutdowns. —Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Well past her childhood, Brooks witnessed poverty’s corrosion of ambition and hope. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corrosioun, borrowed from Late Latin corrōsiōn-, corrōsiō "act of gnawing," from Latin corrōdere "to gnaw, chew up" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at corrode

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for corrosion

• erosion
• explosion
• implosion

Kids Definition

corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

Medical Definition

corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

1

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

arterial corrosion that characterizes arteriosclerosis

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: a study specimen of an organ or other structure prepared by injection of hollow parts (as blood vessels) with a plastic and subsequent removal of the surrounding tissue by corrosion