Erosion

/ɪˈroʊʒən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The process by which soil, rock, or other surface material is worn away and removed from one location to another.

Erosion along the riverbank has significantly altered the landscape over the years.

The gradual destruction or diminishing of something.

The erosion of our civil liberties is a concern for many citizens.

The act of eroding or the state of being eroded.

The erosion of the coastline is accelerated by climate change and rising sea levels.

From Latin erosio, from erodere 'to erode', from e- 'away' + rodere 'to gnaw'.

soil erosion

The removal of the upper layer of soil, a serious environmental issue.

erosion control

Methods or measures used to prevent the loss of soil or land by water or wind.

coastal erosion

The loss of coastal land due to wave action, tidal currents, or weather.

bank erosion

The wearing away of riverbanks or shorelines caused by the flow of water.

erosion rate

The speed at which erosion occurs in a particular area.

degradation

The process by which something is reduced in quality or value.

weathering

The breaking down of rocks and minerals due to weather elements.

sedimentation

The process of settling or deposition of sediments.

Slow loss or decline of something important.

After the company’s bad decisions, there was a real erosion of trust among employees.

Gradual wearing away of relationships.

Their constant arguments caused an erosion of their friendship.