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embrittlement

American

[em-brit-l-muhnt] / ɛmˈbrɪt l mənt /

noun

the act or process of becoming brittle, as steel from exposure to certain environments or heat treatment or because of the presence of impurities.

Etymology

Origin of embrittlement

First recorded in 1915–20; embrittle + -ment

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:

embrittlement

"That indicates the mechanism changed from dehydration embrittlement to thermal runaway."

From Science Daily ● Jan. 1, 2026

In the context of type 2 diabetes, these mechanisms are compromised, resulting in collagen embrittlement.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2024

One of the most challenging areas involves embrittlement of metal in reactor pressure vessels that are bombarded by neutrons during the fission process.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 1, 2021

In addition to its well-known health and environmental effects, mercury also damages industrial facilities through corrosion, such as embrittlement of aluminium heat exchangers, and it poisons catalysts.

From Newsweek

Ideally, such samples are periodically examined for hidden cracks, allowing scientists to determine how much embrittlement has occurred.

From Time Magazine Archive

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023