obsolescence

noun

ob·​so·​les·​cence ˌäb-sə-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 

: the process of becoming obsolete or the condition of being nearly obsolete

the gradual obsolescence of machinery

reduced to obsolescence

the planned obsolescence of automobiles

Examples of obsolescence in a Sentence

the obsolescence of the old technology

Once a useful tool, slide rules have fallen into obsolescence.

Recent Examples on the Web

If their content isn’t available to them outside of those packages, there is a risk of obsolescence. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025

Maybe Happy Ending—which first opened in Seoul in 2016 and has been charming New York audiences since November—was the result: a show about solitary robots facing obsolescence that, paradoxically, has the most heart of anything on Broadway. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025

Many jobs will be highly impacted – to the point of obsolescence – by AI, and others will demand learning new skills and high degrees of flexibility and adaptability. —Kate Duchene, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Panama completed a vast construction project to expand the canal in 2014, overcoming the threat of obsolescence that had emerged as ships grew ever larger. —Julie Greene / Made By History, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing obsolescence

• built-in/planned obsolescence

Rhymes for obsolescence

• acquiescence
• adolescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• inflorescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• opalescence

Kids Definition

obsolescence

noun

ob·​so·​les·​cence ˌäb-sə-ˈles-ᵊn(t)s 

: the process of becoming obsolete or the state of being nearly obsolete

Legal Definition

obsolescence

noun

ob·​so·​les·​cence ˌäb-sə-ˈles-ᵊns 

: a loss in the utility or value of property that results over time from intrinsic limitations (as outmoded facilities) or external circumstances

Note: Obsolescence is usually distinguished from depreciation and physical deterioration.

— economic obsolescence

: obsolescence that results from external factors (as location) that render a property obsolete, no longer competitive, unattractive to purchasers or investors, or of decreasing usefulness

claimed that the appraisal failed to account for economic obsolescence resulting from an adjacent waste facility

— functional obsolescence \ ˈfəŋk-​shə-​nəl-​ \

: obsolescence deriving from a lack of adequate or appropriate equipment, space, or design