deterioration
Americannoun
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the act or process of deteriorating.
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the state or condition of having deteriorated.
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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
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Tears of a Tiger
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myPerspectives 8.4
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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:
It’s unclear what led to the eagle’s deterioration, though there are several theories.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 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
The deterioration limits how much crude can be pumped into and out of the caverns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
There are several possible reasons for the deterioration, suggests Sam Cranny-Evans from the Royal United Services Institute think-tank in London.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
However, by all indications, my own mental deterioration will be quite rapid.
From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
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
He then logically indicated the process and kinds of community deteriorations which could ensue.
From Humanistic Nursing by Paterson, Josephine G.
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.
