degradation
n.-
1 environmental damage (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Sciencethe process of the natural world being damaged or destroyed.
the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil.
ExampleSoil degradation is a serious problem for farmers in this dry region.
ExampleEnvironmental degradation caused by industrial runoff has led to a significant decline in local biodiversity over the last decade.
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2 loss of dignity (n.) C1 Advanced Formala situation that makes someone feel ashamed or lose the respect of others.
the act of lowering someone's social rank, reputation, or character; a state of humiliation or abasement.
ExampleHe felt a sense of degradation when he was forced to beg for food.
ExampleThe prisoners were subjected to constant degradation in an attempt to break their spirit and sense of self-worth.
- honor
- exaltation
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3 material breakdown (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencethe process of a material or chemical breaking down and becoming weaker.
a deleterious change in the chemical structure or physical properties of a material due to exposure or use.
ExampleThe degradation of the plastic was caused by many years of sunlight.
ExampleEngineers monitored the thermal degradation of the polymer to ensure it could withstand the high temperatures of the engine bay.
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4 wearing down of land (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Sciencethe wearing away of rocks or land by water, wind, or ice.
the wearing down of the Earth's surface by natural processes such as erosion or weathering.
ExampleThe degradation of the river banks was caused by the heavy winter floods.
ExampleGeological degradation over millions of years has transformed the once-jagged mountain range into a series of rolling hills.
- aggradation
From French dégradation. Morphologically degrade + -ation.