degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the act or process of degrading

environmental degradation

the gradual degradation of organic matter

… nothing infuriates the female students more than the degradation of women that is associated with male sports …

—Scott Stossel

suffer the degradations of poverty and abuse

2

a

: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state

shocked by the hopeless degradation of the "poor whites"

—Edith Wharton

Some houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …

—Paul Reyes

b

: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration

educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings

—Drew Middleton

degradative

ˈde-grə-ˌdā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• decadence
• declension
• declination
• decline
• degeneracy
• degeneration
• dégringolade
• descent
• deterioration
• devolution
• downfall
• downgrade
• ebb
• eclipse
• fall

Examples of degradation in a Sentence

English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about.

the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline

Recent Examples on the Web

The effects of ecological degradation, including pollution, habitat destruction and climate change, will be a significant concern for some organizations across industries. —Maureen Metcalf, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Researchers say this rampant accumulation may be occurring because many types of PFAS unleash TFA as a product of their degradation. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024

Across Africa, aridity has led to a 12% plunge in GDP, partly driven by degradation of arable land. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

Telomeres are the little structures or cap at the end of a chromosome that protect genetic information from degradation. —Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see degrade

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

1

a

: a reduction in rank, dignity, or standing

b

: removal from office

2

: loss of honor or reputation

3

: degeneration sense 1, deterioration

Medical Definition

degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound

degradative

ˈdeg-rə-ˌdāt-iv 

adjective