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 of erosion

• 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

But some experts warn that what’s happening in Hatteras could be a glimpse of what’s to come in other coastal areas as climate change fuels more powerful storms and hastens erosion. —Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

Many of them fled to the cities from their rural, coastal home villages because the increasing frequency of disasters like floods, riverbank erosion and cyclones, also due to climate change, made their already fragile livelihoods untenable. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025

Enhanced beach erosion is also possible. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025

The study demonstrates the translational potential of our mineralizing technology for treating loss of enamel in clinical settings such as the treatment of enamel erosion and dental hypersensitivity. —New Atlas, 5 Nov. 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