degradation
/ˌdɛɡɹəˈdeɪʃən/
Frequency: 3.60 in modern English
Meaning
noun
The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, frost etc.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A deleterious change in the chemical structure, physical properties or appearance of a material from natural or artificial exposure.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The gradual breakdown of components of a material, as a result of a natural element, i.e.: heat, cold and wind.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "This feature of good organization, the conferring of definite local superior rank, and the protection of the incumbent from unnecessary degradation, was discovered centuries ago by another effective institution, the Catholic church."
- "There will be no poverty. All work will be done by living machines. Everybody will be free from worry and liberated from the degradation of labor. Everybody will live only to perfect himself."
- "Money is the great breaker-up of love and friendship; and this is, I believe, the reason of the common saying, that "large families get on best in the world," because they can receive from each other assistance without degradation."
- "[…] for it could not be expected that a class condemned to increasing degradation of mind and body would be able to bring about the greatest revolution in history, including not only economic changes but the efflorescence of art and civilization."
- "The extent of the damage to the military is still unclear and disputed, but the repeated bombings of the army and revolutionary guard bases and installations suggests substantial degradation of Iran's military power. Militarisation had long consumed a vast amount of the nation's resources."
- "Overexploitation of land for fuelwood is a further cause of soil degradation in Africa, Asia and South America"
Etymology
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- British English: /ˌdɛɡɹəˈdeɪʃən/