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

Any future erosion would have to come overwhelmingly from one of two places. —Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 9 Feb. 2026

The high surf advisory indicated dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion can be expected. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026

If that 45-day minimum before the TVOD window is breached, that inflection point leads to massive erosion of theatrical revenue. —Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026

The roughly 2-mile uphill climb to the top will raise your heart rate, and the terrain is challenging, with several rocky sections and deep crevices caused by years of erosion. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 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