erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən How to pronounce erosion (audio)
1
a
: the action or process of eroding
b
: the state of being eroded
2
: an instance or product of erosion
erosional adjective
erosionally adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, with the erosion impacting many Southern California beaches, including Lower Trestles, buildings are set behind the access road, Stapelberg noted. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 June 2025 This national recognition of the evils of slavery comes during a significant backlash against teaching American history, as well as an erosion of other civil rights, namely a rollback of voting rights in places that have high populations of Black voters. Jenny Singer, Glamour, 18 June 2025 The Context Former presidents typically refrain from criticizing their successors, but Obama has on occasion referenced Trump while discussing the erosion of democratic norms, efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and attacks on critical programs like Medicaid and Social Security. Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 The erosion of public trust in elite institutions does not excuse the government’s ideological manipulation of the scientific process. John Drake, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for erosion

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of erosion was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Erosion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erosion. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

erosion

noun
ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən How to pronounce erosion (audio)
: the action or process of eroding : the state of being eroded
erosional
-ˈrōzh-nəl How to pronounce erosion (audio)
-ˈrō-zhən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

erosion

noun
ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən How to pronounce erosion (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on erosion

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