corrosion

noun

cor·​ro·​sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 

1

: the action, process, or effect of corroding

2

: a product of corroding

Synonyms of corrosion

• 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

However, the tests did not establish that the system could reliably identify actual corrosion or cracks in operating nuclear fuel storage canisters. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Fisker Automotive said that an internal investigation supervised by transportation regulators found salt corrosion had caused a short circuit in the battery, leading to the fire, rather than a preexisting defect. — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Neutron’s reusable first stage is made of carbon composite structures, which offer low weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

Our work was industrially focused, including water and wastewater, power utilities, commercial fireproofing, FDOT, marine industries and, in general, corrosion protection of steel and concrete structures. — Marci Woodward, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

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