erosion

[ ih-roh-zhuhn ]

noun

1. the act or state of eroding; state of being eroded.
2. the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, winds, waves, etc.
3. the gradual decline or disintegration of something:

   Each candidate is blaming the other’s party for the erosion of international trade.

erosion

/ ɪˈrəʊʒən /

noun

1. the wearing away of rocks and other deposits on the earth's surface by the action of water, ice, wind, etc
2. the act or process of eroding or the state of being eroded

erosion

/ ĭ-rō′zhən /

1. The gradual wearing away of land surface materials, especially rocks, sediments, and soils, by the action of water, wind, or a glacier. Usually erosion also involves the transport of eroded material from one place to another, as from the top of a mountain to an adjacent valley, or from the upstream portion of a river to the downstream portion.

erosion

1. A type of weathering in which surface soil and rock are worn away through the action of glaciers , water, and wind.

Derived Forms

• eˈrosive, adjective

Other Words From

• e·ro·sion·al adjective
• an·ti·e·ro·sion adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of erosion¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin ērōsiōn- (stem of ērōsiō ), derivative of ērōdere “to gnaw, eat away”; erode, -ion

Example Sentences

Far worse will be the long-lasting erosion of the integrity of the department, whose fidelity to the principle of justice without fear or favor is a cornerstone of American democracy.

From Los Angeles Times

They said visitors have crowded onto riverbanks, looking for that perfect shot at the expense of “increasing erosion and trampling vegetation.”

From Los Angeles Times

And because the world, and one’s continued engagement with it, is a repeated litany of small erosions, it is through the practice of beauty that we learn to survive, to soar even.

From Los Angeles Times

The images submitted will be added to an interactive map to help researchers document flood and erosion risks in coastal areas.

From Los Angeles Times

They argued the environmental projects are crucial to the state’s future and will help prevent costly disasters such as wildfires and coastal erosion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• corrosion
• decrease
• destruction
• disintegration