degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the act or process of degrading

environmental degradation

the gradual degradation of organic matter

suffer the degradations of poverty and abuse

2

a

: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state

'A dependence upon him,' said Kate, 'would embitter my whole life. I should feel begging a far less degradation.'

—Charles Dickens

Some houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …

—Paul Reyes

b

: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration

… educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings.

—Drew Middleton

degradative

ˈde-grə-ˌdā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of degradation

• deterioration
• decline
• declination

Examples of degradation in a Sentence

English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about.

the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline

Recent Examples on the Web

Many lines of research align with the theory that aging is a direct result of decay — the inevitable degradation of molecules (including proteins or DNA), organelles, cells, or whole organs — from external assault or inexorable breakdown. — Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026

By spreading stress via polymer chain rearrangement instead of allowing polymer bonds to break, the DNGEs continually reduce the risk of sudden snapping or fatigue-degradation. — New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026

Overall, scientists project that, by 2050, loss of cropland from urbanization and soil degradation could reduce China’s food production capacity by up to 18 percent. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026

There could be IoT solution or sensor degradation, connectivity issues and hallucinations because of poor update procedures and more. — Punnam Raju Manthena, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see degrade

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for degradation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

1

a

: a reduction in rank, dignity, or standing

b

: removal from office

2

: loss of honor or reputation

3

: degeneration sense 1, deterioration

Medical Definition

degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound

degradative

ˈdeg-rə-ˌdāt-iv 

adjective