erode

1 of 2

verb

i-ˈrōd 

eroded; eroding

transitive verb

1

: to diminish or destroy by degrees:

a

: to eat into or away by slow destruction of substance (as by acid, infection, or cancer)

b

: to wear away by the action of water, wind, or glacial ice

The flooding eroded the hillside.

c

: to cause to deteriorate or disappear as if by eating or wearing away

inflation eroding buying power

2

: to produce or form by eroding

glaciers erode U-shaped valleys

intransitive verb

: to undergo erosion

where the land has eroded away

erodibility

i-ˌrō-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

erodible adjective

or less commonly erodable

i-ˈrō-də-bəl 

erodible

2 of 2

adjective

erod·​ible

variants or less commonly erodable

⸗ˈrōdəbəl 

: capable of or subject to being eroded (as by action of water and wind)

erodible soils

erodible parts of the channel

Synonyms of erode

Verb

• eat
• destroy
• corrode

Examples of erode in a Sentence

Verb

Crashing waves have eroded the cliffs along the beach.

The shoreline has eroded badly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But experts say that aside from spoiling a finale for fans, such bets could erode the very business of Hollywood. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 June 2026

Keeping sailors in the same shipyard environment for extended periods can gradually erode motivation and professional engagement regardless of individual resilience. —Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Chronic stress is eroding sleep, focus and mood for millions of Americans — and the cheapest, fastest counterweight may already be sitting in your sneakers. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

As the limestone’s natural acids slowly leach into the softer sandstone, the structure will erode over time. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin erodere to eat away, from e- + rodere to gnaw — more at rodent

First Known Use

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for erode

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

Kids Definition

erode

verb

i-ˈrōd 

eroded; eroding

1

a

: to destroy gradually by chemical means : corrode

b

: to wear away by or as if by the action of water, wind, or glacial ice

2

: to undergo erosion

Etymology

Verb

from Latin erodere "to eat away," from e- "away" and rodere "to gnaw" — related to rodent

Medical Definition

erode

transitive verb

i-ˈrōd 

eroded; eroding

1

: to eat into or away by slow destruction of substance (as by acid, infection, or cancer)

acids that erode the teeth

bone eroded by cancer

2

: to remove with an abrasive

a dental tool that erodes the decayed area