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

Oil theft is common in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, where decades of oil exploration have led to high levels of poverty and environmental degradation. — Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Persistent organic pollutants are toxic organic chemicals, usually synthetic but occasionally occurring naturally, that resist environmental degradation, persist in the environment for decades, and can be transported over long distances. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

In bending experiments, the chip showed no performance degradation after thousands of bends around small cylinders. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Overfertilization is a common problem that has far-reaching adverse environmental effects, from groundwater contamination to degradation of waterways. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 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