attenuation

noun

at·​ten·​u·​a·​tion ə-ˌten-yə-ˈwā-shən 

-yü-ˈā-

plural attenuations

: the act or process of attenuating something or the state of being attenuated: such as

a

: a lessening in amount, force, magnitude, or value : weakening

Sound can travel thousands of kilometers in this planar acoustic waveguide with little attenuation.

—David Ritchie

b

: a reduction of severity or virulence : a decrease in the pathogenicity of a microorganism or in the severity of a disease

This virus grew well in tissue culture, with only limited temperature sensitivity as a marker of possible attenuation.

—Peter F. Wright

c

: diminution of thickness

The detailing of the doorway, the narrowness and attenuation of the columns of the portico, and most especially the paneling and ornamentation in the interior … bespeak the neoclassical, somewhat similar to the plaster work found in Baltimore interiors.

—Jessie Poesch

Examples of attenuation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This tendency for a Giacometti-like attenuation was also seen at Alaïa, in the form of the must-have high-rise pant. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2023

The regulations also include several requirements for noise attenuation. —Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2023

The attenuation length of light in water is on the order of tens of meters. —Malcolm MacIver, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2011

With Gauthier’s one witty exception, attenuation of limbs, subtle fluidity, and wild abandon are hallmarks. —Catherine Tharin, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023

Basically, when attenuation fails, and self-perception becomes imprecise, the weighting of our perception is skewed towards self focus, and what was once taken for granted as ‘real’ and ‘present’ now feels detached and fractured. —Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2022

Ultimately, the virus went through a process called attenuation. —Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2021

The Flytefoam midsole had impressive rebound qualities and Asics incorporated GEL technology in both the fore and rear for shock attenuation and general cushioning. —Adam Chase, Outside Online, 2 Apr. 2020

Almost a century later, the Chevy team saw the potential to almost eliminate FPC vibration using modern engine mounts and other attenuation technology. —Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 10 May 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

attenuation

noun

at·​ten·​u·​a·​tion ə-ˌten-yə-ˈwā-shən 

: a decrease in the pathogenicity or vitality of a microorganism or in the severity of a disease

Legal Definition

attenuation

noun

at·​ten·​u·​a·​tion ə-ˌten-yu̇-ˈwā-shən 

: a lessening of the amount, force, or magnitude of something

specifically : a weakening of the connection between an illegal police procedure and the evidence obtained by it such that the evidence is admissible at trial as an exception to the exclusionary rule