Degradation Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/dɪˌgreɪdəˈeɪʃn/

Noun

A process or instance of deteriorating or spoiling, often due to wear and tear, exposure to the elements, or neglect.

The old building showed signs of degradation, with peeling paint and rusty pipes.
The once-thriving garden had suffered from degradation due to lack of maintenance.

The word “degradation” comes from the Latin “degradare”, meaning “to degrade” or “to reduce to a lower state”.

Use “degradation” to describe the process of something deteriorating over time, often due to external factors.

In popular culture, “degradation” has been referenced in songs, literature, and film to describe the decline of something or someone.

“Debt-to-income ratio” and “degradation of wood” are common idioms that include the word “degradation”.

Words closely related to “degradation” include “deterioration”, “decay”, and “ruin”.

“Degradation” often collocates with words such as “process”, “instance”, “signs”, and “effects”.

“Degradation” is a relatively uncommon word, but its usage has increased in recent years due to growing awareness of environmental and social issues.

Some common misspellings of “degradation” include “degraation”, “degradationa”, and “degration”.