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
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.
Many news agencies have reported the hideous condition of the Lincoln—the exhaustion of its crews, the depletion of basic supplies, the breakdown of everyday equipment—as a result of its overextension within firing range of Iran.
From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026
Six other firefighters farther north in Staffordshire were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion battling similar blazes there, the fire service said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
The searing heat could also lead to power cuts, rail and air travel delays, and cause serious health impacts such as dehydration and heat exhaustion.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Iranian diplomats have expressed exhaustion at the multiple times negotiations broke down with the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Eilonwy had dropped in exhaustion, her hands still on the heavy ring.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
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.
