# degradation

/ˌdɛɡɹəˈdeɪʃən/ (US) · /dɪɡɹɐdˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/degradation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. environmental damage

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the process of the natural world being damaged or destroyed.

For teachers: the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil.

- Soil degradation is a serious problem for farmers in this dry region.
- Environmental degradation caused by industrial runoff has led to a significant decline in local biodiversity over the last decade.

### 2. loss of dignity

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a situation that makes someone feel ashamed or lose the respect of others.

For teachers: the act of lowering someone's social rank, reputation, or character; a state of humiliation or abasement.

- He felt a sense of degradation when he was forced to beg for food.
- The prisoners were subjected to constant degradation in an attempt to break their spirit and sense of self-worth.

### 3. material breakdown

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process of a material or chemical breaking down and becoming weaker.

For teachers: a deleterious change in the chemical structure or physical properties of a material due to exposure or use.

- The degradation of the plastic was caused by many years of sunlight.
- Engineers monitored the thermal degradation of the polymer to ensure it could withstand the high temperatures of the engine bay.

### 4. wearing down of land

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the wearing away of rocks or land by water, wind, or ice.

For teachers: the wearing down of the Earth's surface by natural processes such as erosion or weathering.

- The degradation of the river banks was caused by the heavy winter floods.
- Geological degradation over millions of years has transformed the once-jagged mountain range into a series of rolling hills.

## Examples

- Pollution causes the degradation of the local river water.
- Environmental scientists are worried about the rapid degradation of the soil due to intensive farming practices.
- The structural integrity of the bridge was compromised by the gradual degradation of the concrete, which had been exposed to salt spray for decades.

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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.