degradation
Americannoun
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the state of being degraded. degraded.
- Synonyms:
- debasement, dishonor, disgrace, humiliation
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Physical Geography. the wearing down of the land by the erosive action of water, wind, or ice.
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Chemistry. the breakdown of an organic compound.
noun
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the act of degrading or the state of being degraded
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a state of degeneration, squalor, or poverty
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some act, constraint, etc, that is degrading
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the wearing down of the surface of rocks, cliffs, etc, by erosion, weathering, or some other process
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chem a breakdown of a molecule into atoms or smaller molecules
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physics an irreversible process in which the energy available to do work is decreased
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RC Church the permanent unfrocking of a priest
Other Word Forms
- antidegradation adjective
- degradational adjective
- degradative adjective
- nondegradation noun
- self-degradation noun
Etymology
Origin of degradation
First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin dēgradātiōn-, stem of dēgradātiō, from dēgradāt(us) “degraded” (past participle of dēgradāre; degrade ) + -iō -ion
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.
The Nature Nanotechnology perspective, "Nanoparticle-mediated targeting chimeras transform targeted protein degradation," explores how this technology works and where it could be applied.
From Science Daily
The document warns of "cascading risks" from the degradation of some of the planet's most important ecosystems, including conflict, migration and increased competition for resources.
From BBC
It called for a reduction in speed limits in order to prevent further degradation of the infrastructure and "to guarantee the safety of workers and travellers".
From BBC
She said John O'Sullivan had been responsible for the indignity and degradation his father endured and he had caused misery for the family.
From BBC
"OTULIN could be a key regulator in creating an imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation and may cause brain aging," he said.
From Science Daily
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.
