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.
See Examples For:
Muscle deterioration became more severe, and the mice had shorter lifespans.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
It’s unclear what led to the eagle’s deterioration, though there are several theories.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
In March, eight bodies were found in a state of "advanced deterioration" in the mortuary at the trust after hospitals ran out of freezer space.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
"This could become the most significant smoke event in New York City since 2023, and conditions will be closely monitored for any deterioration," the city's Department of Emergency Management said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026
I looked at Cletus to see if all this talk of illness and deterioration affected him the way it did me.
From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant
By 01:40 to her death, Child D had dramatic deteriorations at different points.
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2022
It is hard to imagine that the impending supply chain deteriorations won't exacerbate that problem, as will the ongoing disease of misinformation.
From Salon ● Nov. 22, 2021
Along with the deteriorations caused by age, weak adherence to safety standards, poor maintenance and corruption among enforcement bodies are all considered contributors to such disasters.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2021
The index’s 44% climb from its March 23 low stands in contrast to sharp deteriorations in gross domestic product and other economic indicators as a result of nationwide lockdowns, which are now easing.
From Reuters ● Jun. 8, 2020
What strange abnormal deteriorations, physical and spiritual, must it not inevitably undergo?
From Robert Elsmere by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.
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.
