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

Large, dangerous waves will begin reaching east-facing shores Friday and build through the weekend, bringing life-threatening surf, rip currents, coastal flooding and significant beach erosion. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

The move marks a further erosion of DeepMind's independence since Google bought the London lab in 2014, with some teams shifting into corporate Google. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

The Forest Service notes that waterfall conditions constantly change because of erosion, shifting debris and fluctuating water flows, making even familiar locations potentially hazardous. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Fast-growing shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses can be layered to provide easy care and prevent erosion. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 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