deterioration
Americannoun
-
the act or process of deteriorating.
-
the state or condition of having deteriorated.
-
a gradual decline, as in quality, serviceability, or vigor.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of deterioration
1650–60; < Late Latin dēteriōrātiōn- (stem of dēteriōrātiō ), equivalent to dēteriōrāt ( us ) ( see deteriorate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
If something is in a state of deterioration, it's getting worse. A crumbling old house with a caved-in roof and foot-tall weeds growing through the deck is going through deterioration. Deterioration implies that things are falling apart: something once in good condition is now weakened, worn out, or otherwise in decline. Things often undergo deterioration because of neglect. Time also has a lot to do with deterioration. Museum curators are always worried about stopping the deterioration of their prized antiquities, like the ancient Egyptian mummies that should not be exposed to air.
Vocabulary lists containing deterioration
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Tears of a Tiger
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
myPerspectives 8.4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Plus, allies of Mitch McConnell said amid rumors about a deterioration in his health that they’ve held detailed discussions with him.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026
“We believe the recent post-IPO correction reflects a normalization in expectations rather than a deterioration in fundamentals,” the Zephirin note said, calling the pullback an “attractive buying opportunity.”
From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026
Eight bodies have been found in a state of "advanced deterioration" in the mortuary of an NHS trust, after hospitals ran out of freezer space.
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026
When researchers also counted individuals whose cognitive abilities remained stable rather than declining, more than half of participants avoided the commonly held expectation of cognitive deterioration.
From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 2026
We have lost the innocence of it, of those days before we knew the extent of the aunts’ rage, before Gran’s death and Granddad’s deterioration.
From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart
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.
