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

Founded over 70 years ago, the church had withstood decades of erosion and sea level rise and was in dire need of a new seawall. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Meanwhile, Bussières charts that erosion brilliantly, allowing her character’s professional confidence to facilitate a fiery, complex performance essential to making the narrative work. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

The erosion of romance by financial woes, a common plight in life, is surprisingly hard to find on TV—perhaps precisely because executives are skittish about hitting viewers too close to home. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

That erosion of trust can quickly become one of the biggest obstacles to containing an outbreak. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 July 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