degeneracy

[ dih-jen-er-uh-see ]

noun

1. degenerate state or character.
2. the process of degenerating; decline.
3. degenerate behavior, especially behavior considered sexually deviant.
4. Physics. the number of distinct quantum states of a system that have a given energy.

degeneracy

/ dɪˈdʒɛnərəsɪ /

noun

1. the act or state of being degenerate
2. the process of becoming degenerate
3. physics the number of degenerate quantum states of a particular orbital, degree of freedom, energy level, etc

Other Words From

• nonde·gener·a·cy noun plural nondegeneracies
• prede·gener·a·cy noun
• unde·gener·a·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of degeneracy¹

First recorded in 1655–65; degener(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

It would be unfair to place the sole blame for the degeneracy of civil norms on one segment of the public.

From Salon

Naturally, as the five of us have grown and dabbled in our own intermittent spates of degeneracy, we’ve become more privy to our parents' young adult lore.

From Salon

When the scientists saw the lifting of Kramers spin degeneracy, accompanied by the vanishing net magnetisation, they knew they were looking at an altermagnet.

From Science Daily

Normally a quantum mechanical property called degeneracy pressure makes the electrons resist compression, adding support to the core.

From Scientific American

The speaker’s contest has been another giant step into political degeneracy.

From Seattle Times