corruption

noun

cor·​rup·​tion kə-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce corruption (audio)
1
a
: dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people (such as government officials or police officers) : depravity
b
: inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (such as bribery)
the corruption of government officials
c
: a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct
the corruption of a text
the corruption of computer files
d
: decay, decomposition
the corruption of a carcass
2
chiefly dialectal : pus
3
archaic : an agency or influence that corrupts

Examples of corruption in a Sentence

There are rumors of widespread corruption in the city government. the mafia's corruption of public officials corruption of the English language computer software that is supposed to prevent the corruption of files the corruption of a text
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.
The series is centered on organized crime and corruption in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, using real-life characters like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Trump's Justice Department dropped corruption charges against Adams earlier this year. Sarah N. Lynch, USA Today, 22 May 2025 In 2014, then-Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon was arrested and pleaded guilty in federal court to public corruption charges after accepting more than $50,000 in bribes while in office. Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025 At the same time, a statewide grand jury, the FBI and state prosecutors were investigating corruption among public officials, including some in Broward schools. Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for corruption

Word History

Etymology

see corrupt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of corruption was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corruption. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

corruption

noun
cor·​rup·​tion kə-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce corruption (audio)
1
: physical decay or rotting
2
: dishonest or evil behavior
3
: the causing of someone else to do wrong (as by bribery)
4
: a change from the original or for the worse

More from Merriam-Webster on corruption

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