corrosion

[ kuh-roh-zhuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of corroding; condition of being corroded.
2. a product of corroding, as rust.

corrosion

/ kəˈrəʊʒən /

noun

1. a process in which a solid, esp a metal, is eaten away and changed by a chemical action, as in the oxidation of iron in the presence of water by an electrolytic process
2. slow deterioration by being eaten or worn away
3. the condition produced by or the product of corrosion

corrosion

/ kə-rō′zhən /

1. The breaking down or destruction of a material, especially a metal, through chemical reactions. The most common form of corrosion is rusting, which occurs when iron combines with oxygen and water.

Other Words From

• cor·rosion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of corrosion¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin corrōsiōn- (stem of corrōsiō ) a gnawing away, equivalent to Latin corrōs ( us ), past participle of corrōdere to corrode + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“We have to explore new materials and more corrosion resistant alloys,” says Sigrun Nanna Karlsdottir, a professor of industrial and mechanical engineering at the University of Iceland.

From BBC

Environmental groups contend that federally mandated corrosion protection was not effective on the 30-year-old pipeline, and say it will never perform safely.

From Los Angeles Times

"Analysis of the domestic hot water pipework has indicated erosion corrosion and galvanic corrosion to be the cause, pseudomonas is not a factor."

From BBC

If more than 10% of tap water samples exceed 15 parts per billion, the water system must take action, including implementing more corrosion controls or replacing pipelines.

From Los Angeles Times

The culvert — installed when the 101 Freeway was built in the 1950s — failed because of corrosion, Moreno said in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decay
• decomposition
• deterioration
• erosion
• rust