# degeneration

/dɪˌdʒɛnɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /dɪdʒˌɛnəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/degeneration
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the process of something getting worse or weaker over time. It often describes a part of the body or a part of society that is losing its health or quality.

For teachers: the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of function, structure, or quality. Often refers to the deterioration of tissues in a medical context or the decline of moral standards in a social context.

## Examples

- The doctor explained the degeneration of the patient's knee joint.
- Urban planners are working to reverse the economic degeneration of the downtown district through new investment.
- While the physical degeneration of the manuscript made some passages illegible, the core of the author's argument remained clear enough for scholars to reconstruct the original thesis.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable in its abstract or general sense; can be countable when referring to specific medical instances or types of decline.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.