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

• corrosion

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

Some of the erosion of credibility, young American Jews across the country tell me, stems from those who insist all criticism of Israel is antisemitic, diluting the term's power. —Andrew Weinstein, Time, 12 Sep. 2025

Because sometimes, the slow erosion of a relationship isn’t caused by infidelity at all, but by the quiet ache of a partner who gives just enough to get by. —Essence, 12 Sep. 2025

The result is an erosion of individual agency and a system that guards access rather than broadens it. —Anmol Verma, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The New Normal Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a longtime terrorism expert, said the erosion of democratic discourse is no longer just theoretical but actively enabling violence. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 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