erosion

noun

ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən How to pronounce erosion (audio)
Synonyms of erosion
1
a
: the action or process of eroding
b
: the state of being eroded
2
: an instance or product of erosion
erosional
i-ˈrō-zh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce erosion (audio)
adjective
erosionally
i-ˈrō-zh(ə-)nəl-ē How to pronounce erosion (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of erosion

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Examples of erosion in a Sentence

Landscapers planted grass to stop the erosion of the hillside. Centuries of erosion by wind have carved grooves in the rocks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Because the moon has no atmosphere, there's no wind or rain erosion, nor are there any plate tectonics. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Ankur Hooda’s film explores the erosion of farming as a way of life, and the impact of mass urban migration on villages and those left behind. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 And now, Aliso Beach joins the list of areas confronted by erosion problems. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Yet still central to her practice is the question of what political imaginaries art can sustain in the face of democratic erosion. — Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erosion

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of erosion was in 1541

Phrases Containing erosion

Rhymes for erosion

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Browse Nearby Words

erosible
erosion
erosional
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Cite this Entry

“Erosion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erosion. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

erosion

noun
ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən How to pronounce erosion (audio)
: the action or process of eroding : the state of being eroded
erosional
-ˈrōzh-nəl How to pronounce erosion (audio)
-ˈrō-zhən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

erosion

noun
ero·​sion i-ˈrō-zhən How to pronounce erosion (audio)
1
a
: the superficial destruction of a surface area of tissue (as mucous membrane) by inflammation, ulceration, or trauma
erosion of the uterine cervix
b
: progressive loss of the hard substance of a tooth
2
: an instance or product of erosion
a circular erosion on the skin

More from Merriam-Webster on erosion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about erosion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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