# depleted

/dɪˈpɫitɪd/ (US) · /dɪplˈiːtɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. used up or reduced

adjective · CEFR B2

having a much smaller amount of something left than there was before.

For teachers: reduced in quantity or number; having had the supply of something significantly diminished.

- After the long race, his energy was completely depleted and he needed to rest.
- The region's groundwater levels have been severely depleted by decades of intensive farming and insufficient rainfall.

### 2. nuclear physics

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing a material that has had its most active part removed.

For teachers: referring to a substance, particularly uranium, that has a lower proportion of a specific isotope than is found in nature.

- The military uses depleted uranium in some types of heavy ammunition.
- Environmental groups expressed concern over the long-term effects of using depleted uranium in conflict zones due to its chemical toxicity.

## Examples

- My phone battery is completely depleted.
- The team felt physically depleted after the long tournament.
- After weeks of intense negotiation, the delegates were mentally depleted and agreed to a brief recess.

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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.