degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 
1
: the act or process of degrading
environmental degradation
the gradual degradation of organic matter
suffer the degradations of poverty and abuse
2
a
: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state
'A dependence upon him,' said Kate, 'would embitter my whole life. I should feel begging a far less degradation.'—
Charles Dickens
Charles DickensSome houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …—Paul Reyes
Paul Reyes
b
: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration
… educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings.—Drew Middleton
Drew MiddletonExamples of degradation in a Sentence
English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about.
the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline
Recent Examples on the Web
The severe degradation of Iran's nuclear program and ensuing ceasefire post-Operation Midnight Hammer is proof.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Researchers revealed these enzymes could strengthen industrial processes that depend on faster and cleaner cellulose degradation.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Moreover, by bypassing the final tests that had been laid out in 1992, the United States missed the chance to examine concerns about age degradation of its weapons.
—Siegfried Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2025
Climate, biodiversity, and land degradation, long managed in separate silos, were finally treated as one system.
—Paul Polman, Time, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
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Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Researchers revealed these enzymes could strengthen industrial processes that depend on faster and cleaner cellulose degradation.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Moreover, by bypassing the final tests that had been laid out in 1992, the United States missed the chance to examine concerns about age degradation of its weapons.
—Siegfried Hecker, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2025
Climate, biodiversity, and land degradation, long managed in separate silos, were finally treated as one system.
—Paul Polman, Time, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degradation. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
1
a
: a reduction in rank, dignity, or standing
b
: removal from office
2
: loss of honor or reputation
Medical Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound
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