corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

1

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

2

: a product of corroding

Synonyms

• attrition
• erosion
• undermining
• waste

Examples of corrosion in a Sentence

the corrosion of family values that is often brought on by great wealth

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2019, footage from a series of dives by an exploration team from Triton Submarines revealed the effects of salt corrosion, metal-eating bacteria and deep current action on the decomposition of the ship. —Amarachi Orie, CNN, 2 Sep. 2024

Around them, the theatre has an aura of corrosion—dark stairways, old fixtures, dank stage. —Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024

Saltwater corrosion Halomonas titanicae isn't the only factor in Titanic's deterioration. —George Petras, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024

According to National Museums Scotland, the hoard was buried around 900 C.E. Conservators used laser technology to clean the object, removing green corrosion and uncovering a range of designs and iconography, including crowns, fire altars, leopards and tigers. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corrosioun, borrowed from Late Latin corrōsiōn-, corrōsiō "act of gnawing," from Latin corrōdere "to gnaw, chew up" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at corrode

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

Medical Definition

corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

1

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

arterial corrosion that characterizes arteriosclerosis

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: a study specimen of an organ or other structure prepared by injection of hollow parts (as blood vessels) with a plastic and subsequent removal of the surrounding tissue by corrosion