erosion

[ ih-roh-zhuh n ]
/ ɪˈroʊ ʒən /

noun

the act or state of eroding; state of being eroded.
the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, winds, waves, etc.

Origin of erosion

First recorded in 1535–45, erosion is from the Latin word ērōsiōn- (stem of ērōsiō). See erose, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM erosion

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

Example sentences from the Web for erosion

British Dictionary definitions for erosion

erosion
/ (ɪˈrəʊʒən) /

noun

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

Derived forms of erosion

erosive or erosional, adjective

Medical definitions for erosion

erosion
[ ĭ-rōzhən ]

n.

Superficial destruction of a surface by friction, pressure, ulceration, or trauma.
The wearing away of a tooth by chemical or abrasive action. odontolysis

Scientific definitions for erosion

erosion
[ ĭ-rōzhən ]

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.

Cultural definitions for erosion

erosion

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