abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

a

: a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction

b

: irritation

2

: an abraded area of the skin or mucous membrane

Synonyms

• bruise

Examples of abrasion in a Sentence

abrasion of rocks by wind and water

walked away from the auto accident with only minor abrasions

Recent Examples on the Web

The sharp microscopic pieces in DE cause abrasions in the soft bodies of chiggers and break down their protective exoskeleton. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 July 2025

Included in its sporty, minimalist remit is tennis, best manifested in these compression shorts made in New York from a Belgian technical fabric imbued with 4-way stretch, UV protection and abrasion resistance among other features. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 June 2025

The fabric also performed well in our abrasion test, with no holes emerging after the area was swiped 50 times (some pilling did occur, though). —Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025

Strong as a Board Courtesy of Dyneema Thanks to that outer layer of Dyneema, the new Woven Composite has 10 times the abrasion resistance and five times the tear resistance of the older fabric. —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abrāsiōn-, abrāsiō, from Latin abrādere "to scrape off" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abrade

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for abrasion

• caucasian
• equation
• eurasian
• evasion
• invasion
• occasion
• persuasion
• asian
• suasion
• athanasian

Kids Definition

abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

: a rubbing, grinding, or wearing away by friction

2

: a place where the surface has been rubbed or scraped off

an abrasion on her knee

Medical Definition

abrasion

noun

abra·​sion ə-ˈbrā-zhən 

1

: wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction

2

a

: the rubbing or scraping of the surface layer of cells or tissue from an area of the skin or mucous membrane

also : a place so abraded

b

: the mechanical wearing away of the tooth surfaces by chewing