erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən 

1

a

: the action or process of eroding

b

: the state of being eroded

2

: an instance or product of erosion

erosional

i-ˈrō-zh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

erosionally

i-ˈrō-zh(ə-)nəl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of erosion

• corrosion

Examples of erosion in a Sentence

Landscapers planted grass to stop the erosion of the hillside.

Centuries of erosion by wind have carved grooves in the rocks.

Recent Examples on the Web

After erosion washed away more than 60% of Tybee Island’s beach sand and hurt tourism, surprise federal funding emerged to help restore the popular Georgia destination, Adam Van Brimmer reports. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Those include Laguna Beach, Dana Point and Carlsbad, which cited coastal erosion and sand loss. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

The city of Malibu is reminding the public of the hazardous conditions at Point Dume State Beach caused by ongoing severe coastal erosion. — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Shorelines in this part of Alaska are now more vulnerable to erosion due, in part, to decreasing sea ice and permafrost thaw. — Samantha Watson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing erosion

• gully erosion

Rhymes for erosion

• corrosion
• explosion
• implosion

Kids Definition

erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən 

: the action or process of eroding : the state of being eroded

erosional

-ˈrōzh-nəl 

-ˈrō-zhən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən 

1

a

: the superficial destruction of a surface area of tissue (as mucous membrane) by inflammation, ulceration, or trauma

erosion of the uterine cervix

b

: progressive loss of the hard substance of a tooth

2

: an instance or product of erosion

a circular erosion on the skin