degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 
1
: the act or process of degrading
environmental degradation
the gradual degradation of organic matter
… nothing infuriates the female students more than the degradation of women that is associated with male sports …—
Scott Stossel
Scott Stosselsuffer the degradations of poverty and abuse
2
a
: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state
shocked by the hopeless degradation of the "poor whites"—Edith Wharton
Edith WhartonSome houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …—Paul Reyes
Paul Reyes
b
: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration
educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings—Drew Middleton
Drew MiddletonExamples of degradation in a Sentence
English teachers bemoaning the degradation of the language that e-mail and instant messaging have allegedly brought about.
the belief that moral degradation is an unmistakable sign of a nation in decline
Recent Examples on the Web
Service degradation caused in some attacks has lasted multiple days, with some remaining ongoing as of the time this post went live.
—Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
Bristol Myers Squibb is leveraging AI and machine learning to advance protein degradation science.
—Tina Chakrabarty, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Yale researchers want to speak with Central Floridians affected by 1,4-dioxane
The Florida Geological Survey also uncovered an insidious characteristic of this chemical combination: 1,1-DCE inhibits the natural degradation of 1,4-dioxane, allowing its spread.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
But while fossil fuels are a significant driver, other factors — like soil degradation from poor infrastructure growth and inadequate crop-agricultural practices — also intensify natural disasters, causing landslides and dust storms, among other severe consequences.
—Arturo MacIas Franco, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
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Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
Bristol Myers Squibb is leveraging AI and machine learning to advance protein degradation science.
—Tina Chakrabarty, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Yale researchers want to speak with Central Floridians affected by 1,4-dioxane
The Florida Geological Survey also uncovered an insidious characteristic of this chemical combination: 1,1-DCE inhibits the natural degradation of 1,4-dioxane, allowing its spread.
—Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
But while fossil fuels are a significant driver, other factors — like soil degradation from poor infrastructure growth and inadequate crop-agricultural practices — also intensify natural disasters, causing landslides and dust storms, among other severe consequences.
—Arturo MacIas Franco, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for degradation
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degradation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
1
a
: a reduction in rank, dignity, or standing
b
: removal from office
2
: loss of honor or reputation
Medical Definition
degradation
noun
deg·ra·da·tion
ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən
: change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound
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