attrition
[ uh-trish-uhn ]
/ əˈtrɪʃ ən /
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noun
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.
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.
a gradual reduction in workforce without firing or layoff of personnel, as when workers resign or retire and are not replaced.
the act of rubbing against something; friction.
a wearing down or away by friction; abrasion.
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Origin of attrition
OTHER WORDS FROM attrition
at·tri·tion·al, adjectiveat·tri·tive [uh-trahy-tiv], /əˈtraɪ tɪv/, adjectivein·ter·at·tri·tion, nounWords nearby attrition
attribution theory, attributive, attributively, attrit, attrite, attrition, Attu, Attucks, Attucks, Crispus, attune, attuned
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for attrition
British Dictionary definitions for attrition
attrition
/ (əˈtrɪʃən) /
noun
the act of wearing away or the state of being worn away, as by friction
constant wearing down to weaken or destroy (often in the phrase war of attrition)
Also called: natural wastage a decrease in the size of the workforce of an organization achieved by not replacing employees who retire or resign
geography the grinding down of rock particles by friction during transportation by water, wind, or iceCompare abrasion (def. 3), corrasion
theol sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation, esp as contrasted with contrition, which arises purely from love of God
Derived forms of attrition
attritional, adjectiveattritive (əˈtraɪtɪv), adjectiveWord Origin for attrition
C14: from Late Latin attrītiō a rubbing against something, from Latin atterere to weaken, from terere to rub
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for attrition
attrition
[ ə-trĭsh′ən ]
n.
A wearing away by friction or rubbing, such as the loss of tooth structure caused by abrasive foods or grinding of the teeth.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.