attrition

American  

[uh-trish-uhn] / əˈtrɪʃ ən /

noun

1. a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength.

   Our club has had a high rate of attrition because so many members have moved away.

2. a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result of continuous pressure or harassment.

   The enemy surrounded the town and conducted a war of attrition.

3. a gradual reduction in workforce without firing or layoff of personnel, as when workers resign or retire and are not replaced.

4. the act of rubbing against something; friction.

5. a wearing down or away by friction; abrasion.

6. Theology. imperfect contrition. contrition2

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attrition British  

/ əˈtraɪtɪv, əˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of wearing away or the state of being worn away, as by friction

2. constant wearing down to weaken or destroy (often in the phrase war of attrition )

3. Also called: natural wastage.  a decrease in the size of the workforce of an organization achieved by not replacing employees who retire or resign

4. geography the grinding down of rock particles by friction during transportation by water, wind, or ice Compare abrasion corrasion

5. theol sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation, esp as contrasted with contrition, which arises purely from love of God

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Other Word Forms

• attritional adjective
• attritive adjective
• interattrition noun

Etymology

Origin of attrition

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin attrītiōn- (stem of attrītiō ) “friction”; attrite, -ion

Example Sentences

“Wars of attrition can be lost gradually, then suddenly,” said Gabuev.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the fourth quarter, the company saw attrition in its Medicaid business, which led to a membership decline of about 1% to $45.2 million as of the end of the year.

From Barron's

The workforce reduction is set to be achieved through natural attrition and a slowdown in hiring by the end of 2027 and potentially beyond, without undertaking any layoffs, it said.

From The Wall Street Journal

With regards to the labor market, Schmid said firms are finding that they are well stocked with workers and able to accommodate attrition without having to hire.

From The Wall Street Journal

Increasingly, they are misused as instruments of attrition, as plaintiffs file lawsuits that are never meant to succeed in court.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• erosion