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

Varma will explore the cultural underpinnings of Hindu nationalism and offer some examples from Kashmir – a region claimed by India, Pakistan and China – to examine erosions of India’s democratic foundations, the news release noted. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025

The erosion of production in California can be attributed to a confluence of factors. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025

This year, however, many people are calling out the erosion of U.S. democracy. —Jennifer Victor, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025

Masters, who is also a co-founder of the popular weather site Weather Underground, said his biggest concern is the degradation of forecasts due to the erosion of basic data collection such as weather balloons. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing erosion

• gully erosion

Rhymes for erosion

• corrosion
• explosion
• implosion

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