corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

1

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

2

: a product of corroding

Synonyms

• erosion

Examples of corrosion in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was previously used in building materials due to its resistance to fire, heat and corrosion. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

Researchers have found a new approach for monitoring and modeling glass corrosion in environmental and nuclear waste management. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025

The analyst added that these permanent magnets use elements such as samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron molecules or yttrium, a rare earth metal used to prevent corrosion. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025

Never use bleach to clean the toilet tank as this harsh chemical can damage the tank's interior and lead to faster corrosion. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for corrosion

• erosion
• explosion
• implosion

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