Definition of DEGRADATION (original) (raw)
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
suffer 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
Some houses are found spotless, others in a wretched degradation …—Paul Reyes
b
: moral or intellectual decadence : degeneration
educated him in the bestiality and degradation that war brings—Drew Middleton
Synonyms
Examples 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 Heat could be causing bees to lose their sense of smell, which can wreak havoc on their foraging behavior and affect both bees and crops, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Bee populations have already taken a hit due to habitat loss and degradation. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 The Singapore Grand Prix is a street circuit under the lights that is characterized by close walls, high tire degradation, minimal overtakes and punishing conditions for the drivers. —Rob Reed, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Overpopulation drives climate change, ecological degradation, housing scarcity and food scarcity. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024 Advanced molecular techniques, such as analyzing the microbiome, gene expression and protein degradation, can help provide valuable information about the crime scene. —Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for degradation 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'degradation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of degradation was circa 1535
Dictionary Entries Near degradation
Cite this Entry
“Degradation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/degradation. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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Last Updated: 30 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
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