corrosion
noun
cor·ro·sion kə-ˈrō-zhən 
1
: the action, process, or effect of corroding
2
: a product of corroding
Synonyms
- attrition
- erosion
- undermining
- waste
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the corrosion of family values that is often brought on by great wealth
Recent Examples on the Web But for an increasing number of individuals, nonprofits, and municipalities, the upkeep of the aging and often remote towers seems practically impossible against rising seas and ruthless corrosion. 
Anna Fiorentino, Outside Online, 8 Sep. 2022 And yet the promise of such help has been upended by the recent discovery of stress-corrosion cracking in pipes located in the critical cooling systems of numerous French nuclear units. Daniel Ford, The New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2022 Caustic soda fights corrosion throughout the city’s water distribution system. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 That corrosion problem, Memmott said, discouraged its development as an energy source. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 July 2022 An investigation found excessive corrosion reduced the thickness of an interior support beam in that ride. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 July 2022 The chemicals were developed as coatings to protect consumer goods from stains, water and corrosion. Todd Richmond, ajc, 20 July 2022 The colors came from iron and manganese, among the metals that have been entering streams from the pipes and soil with more frequency in recent years — an effect of salt corrosion. Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 But the sphere was clean, free of corrosion, and shiny. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 28 June 2022 See More
Anna Fiorentino, Outside Online, 8 Sep. 2022 And yet the promise of such help has been upended by the recent discovery of stress-corrosion cracking in pipes located in the critical cooling systems of numerous French nuclear units. Daniel Ford, The New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2022 Caustic soda fights corrosion throughout the city’s water distribution system. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 That corrosion problem, Memmott said, discouraged its development as an energy source. Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 July 2022 An investigation found excessive corrosion reduced the thickness of an interior support beam in that ride. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 July 2022 The chemicals were developed as coatings to protect consumer goods from stains, water and corrosion. Todd Richmond, ajc, 20 July 2022 The colors came from iron and manganese, among the metals that have been entering streams from the pipes and soil with more frequency in recent years — an effect of salt corrosion. Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 But the sphere was clean, free of corrosion, and shiny. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 28 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English corrosioun, borrowed from Late Latin corrōsiōn-, corrōsiō "act of gnawing," from Latin corrōdere "to gnaw, chew up" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at corrode
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
corrosion
noun
cor·ro·sion kə-ˈrō-zhən
: the process or effect of destroying, weakening, or wearing away little by little
Medical Definition
corrosion
noun
cor·ro·sion kə-ˈrō-zhən
1
: the action, process, or effect of corroding
arterial corrosion that characterizes arteriosclerosis Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of the American Medical Association2
: a study specimen of an organ or other structure prepared by injection of hollow parts (as blood vessels) with a plastic and subsequent removal of the surrounding tissue by corrosion
corrosion
noun
as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction the corrosion of family values that is often brought on by great wealth Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- erosion
- decay
- decomposition
- attrition
- disintegration
- undermining
- waste
- breakdown
- dissolution
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- buildup
- increase
- gain