degeneration

American  

[dih-jen-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌdʒɛn əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the process of degenerating.

2. the condition or state of being degenerate.

3. Pathology.

   1. a process by which a tissue deteriorates, loses functional activity, and may become converted into or replaced by other kinds of tissue.

   2. the condition produced by such a process.

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degeneration British  

/ dɪˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the process of degenerating

2. the state of being degenerate

3. biology the loss of specialization, function, or structure by organisms and their parts, as in the development of vestigial organs

4. 1. impairment or loss of the function and structure of cells or tissues, as by disease or injury, often leading to death (necrosis) of the involved part

   2. the resulting condition

5. electronics negative feedback of a signal

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Other Word Forms

• nondegeneration noun

Etymology

Origin of degeneration

First recorded in 1475–85, degeneration is from the Late Latin word dēgenerātiōn- (stem of dēgenerātiō ). See de-, generation

Explanation

Degeneration is a process of decline. Anything that’s getting worse is going through degeneration. A grand old mansion that’s now abandoned and covered with weeds is in a state of degeneration. When something degenerates, it gets worse in some way, like a house that’s slowly sinking in the mud. This process of decline is called degeneration. The word is from the Latin word degenerare which means "to be inferior to one's ancestors.” Ouch. Now degeneration refers to anything in a state of decline, such as a friendship that was strong and now barely exists.

Example Sentences

That doctor looked at the back of Kekoa’s eyes and diagnosed him with myopic degeneration, a dramatic form of nearsightedness.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Apellis has two approved drugs: Empaveli, which is approved to treat two rare kidney diseases, and Syforvre, which is used by patients with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Vivien Hillgrove, writer, producer and first-time director on this film, was enjoying a 50-year career of movie editing when she started losing her sight to a form of macular degeneration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

She has macular degeneration and is considered legally blind, though she has been able to function at home.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

“I think I’m going to play it safe and go read—and, hey, there’s Ruby! You two can enjoy the degeneration of human decency without me.”

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Related Words

• decay
• worsening