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

The shift was a slow erosion of the pack mentality that had defined my young adulthood. —John Glynn, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Waves are larger when there is less ice, which can lead to lakeshore flooding and erosion. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025

The erosion of the legacy bundle has also eaten into broadcast TV, although at a far slower rate. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Unions had been rallying for the bill, arguing the erosion of federal workers’ job protections and rights represented an existential threat to the broader American labor movement. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025

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