corrosion

[kuh-roh-zhuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of corroding; condition of being corroded.

2. a product of corroding, as rust.

corrosion

/ kəˈrəʊʒən /

noun

1. a process in which a solid, esp a metal, is eaten away and changed by a chemical action, as in the oxidation of iron in the presence of water by an electrolytic process

2. slow deterioration by being eaten or worn away

3. the condition produced by or the product of corrosion

corrosion

1. The breaking down or destruction of a material, especially a metal, through chemical reactions. The most common form of corrosion is rusting, which occurs when iron combines with oxygen and water.

Other Word Forms

• corrosional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of corrosion¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin corrōsiōn- (stem of corrōsiō ) a gnawing away, equivalent to Latin corrōs ( us ), past participle of corrōdere to corrode + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Methanol helps prevent freezing and the accumulation of solid hydrates that can plug gas-compression equipment and limit pipeline flow, and it acts as a solvent and corrosion inhibitor.

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Ever since the Hunley was placed in this tank, researchers and scientists have been painstakingly cleaning a century-and-a-half of sand, sediment, corrosion, and encrustation from the world’s first successful combat submarine.

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"This bridge already handles around three-quarters of Prague's railway traffic. It could handle more, but because of the corrosion, it can only carry about 60% of its capacity," Paidar told the BBC.

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Problems with "Caley Isles", as the ship is known, began in January 2024 when annual maintenance inspections in Scotland revealed extensive steel corrosion.

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MV Caledonian Isles was initially taken out of service in January last year after routine annual maintenance revealed serious steel corrosion.

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Related Words

• decay 
• decomposition 
• deterioration 
• erosion 
• rust