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

Some houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …

—Paul Reyes

b

: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration

… educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings.

—Drew Middleton

degradative

ˈde-grə-ˌdā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of degradation

• deterioration
• decline
• declination

Examples 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

This performance level is higher than that of standard benchmark devices, which typically sustain between 100 and 300 cycles before reaching similar levels of degradation. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026

But experts believe environmental degradation caused by climate change and human activity is contributing to its spread by allowing the rodents that transmit the virus to thrive in new areas. —Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 9 May 2026

The losers are the public who see the degradation of springs and other surface waters held by the state of Florida in public trust. —Robert Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026

The issue with sending data over copper is that high transfer speeds and long distances result in integrity degradation. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

see degrade

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for degradation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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

3

: degeneration sense 1, deterioration

Medical Definition

degradation

noun

deg·​ra·​da·​tion ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound

degradative

ˈdeg-rə-ˌdāt-iv 

adjective