exhaustion
Americannoun
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the act or process of exhausting.
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the state of being exhausted.
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extreme weakness or fatigue.
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the total consumption of something.
the exhaustion of your vacation benefits for the year.
noun
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extreme tiredness; fatigue
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the condition of being used up; consumption
exhaustion of the earth's resources
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the act of exhausting or the state of being exhausted
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of exhaustion
First recorded in 1640–50, exhaustion is from the New Latin word exhaustiōn- (stem of exhaustiō ). See exhaust, -ion
Explanation
Exhaustion is a state of being incredibly tired. Running a marathon on a hot day often results in exhaustion. Your exhaustion might be due to physical fatigue, after shoveling snow for hours or chasing after your runaway dog, or mental tiredness. A terrible argument with your best friend can lead to exhaustion, for example. Another kind of exhaustion is caused by illness or general weakness. Exhaustion comes from the verb exhaust, "a drawing off," specifically of strength. from the Latin exhaurire, "draw off" or "take away."
Vocabulary lists containing exhaustion
A Single Shard
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Adrift
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their investigation pointed to NFIL3 as a major contributor to CAR T-cell exhaustion, a process in which the cells gradually lose their ability to function effectively.
From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026
Dr Satish Koul, principal director and unit head of internal medicine at Fortis Hospital Gurgaon, says hospitals routinely see cases of dehydration, low blood pressure, kidney stress and heat exhaustion during extended heatwaves.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
The merrymaking, though, ends in desolation, as the guests, including Betty herself, drop in exhaustion.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
"Heat exhaustion is one of the main issues" during the hajj, said Saudi health official Jamil Abu Al-Aynayn.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
Despite his exhaustion, he would never, ever! shirk his duties.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
