corrode

verb

cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd 

corroded; corroding

transitive verb

1

: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing

especially : to wear away gradually usually by chemical action

the metal was corroded beyond repair

2

: to weaken or destroy gradually : undermine

… meanness and miserliness that corrode the human spirit.

—Bernard DeVoto

intransitive verb

: to undergo corrosion

corrodible

kə-ˈrō-də-bəl 

adjective

Did you know?

Corrode comes from Latin corrodere ("to gnaw to pieces"), a combination of the prefix "cor-" (used here as an intensifier with the meaning of "completely") and the verb "rodere" ("to gnaw"). At one time, "corrode" was used to literally indicate the action of gnawing away, as in "woodworms corroded the wood." But it is the more figurative senses from the action of gnawing or eating away that have persisted, as in "salt water corroded the iron" or "graphic content on television and the Internet is corroding the moral fabric of society."

Synonyms of corrode

• erode

Examples of corrode in a Sentence

Rainwater may corrode the steel containers.

Over time, the pipes become corroded and need to be replaced.

After a few weeks in the ocean, the boat began to corrode.

Years of lies and secrets had corroded their relationship.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the guise of offering a form of protection, Golubski coöpted women into becoming instruments of the criminal-justice apparatus that corroded their community. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026

These prevent the tank itself from rusting and, if the rods are corroded, chances are your tank’s walls are next. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026

Their water corroded the bathtub and coated their taps and appliances in rust and salt residue. —Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026

Cement and steel degrade and corrode over time (especially when underground and in constant contact with saltwater). —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corroden, borrowed from Latin corrōdere "to gnaw, chew up," from cor-, variant before r of com- com- + rōdere "to gnaw, nibble, eat away" — more at rodent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for corrode

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• crossroad
• decode

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Kids Definition

corrode

verb

cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd 

corroded; corroding

: to eat or be eaten away by degrees as if by gnawing

a bridge corroded by rust

Medical Definition

corrode

verb

cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd 

corroded; corroding

transitive verb

: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing

especially : to wear away gradually usually by chemical action

intransitive verb

: to undergo corrosion