corrosion

[kuh-roh-zhuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of corroding; condition of being corroded.

2. a product of corroding, as rust.

corrosion

/ kəˈrəʊʒən /

noun

1. a process in which a solid, esp a metal, is eaten away and changed by a chemical action, as in the oxidation of iron in the presence of water by an electrolytic process

2. slow deterioration by being eaten or worn away

3. the condition produced by or the product of corrosion

corrosion

1. The breaking down or destruction of a material, especially a metal, through chemical reactions. The most common form of corrosion is rusting, which occurs when iron combines with oxygen and water.

Other Word Forms

• corrosional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of corrosion¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin corrōsiōn- (stem of corrōsiō ) a gnawing away, equivalent to Latin corrōs ( us ), past participle of corrōdere to corrode + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

"This bridge already handles around three-quarters of Prague's railway traffic. It could handle more, but because of the corrosion, it can only carry about 60% of its capacity," Paidar told the BBC.

From BBC

Problems with "Caley Isles", as the ship is known, began in January 2024 when annual maintenance inspections in Scotland revealed extensive steel corrosion.

From BBC

MV Caledonian Isles was initially taken out of service in January last year after routine annual maintenance revealed serious steel corrosion.

From BBC

But the greater risk from the illusion of consciousness is a "moral corrosion", he says.

From BBC

Sable has argued that it can could proceed with its corrosion repair work under the pipeline’s original permits from the 1980s.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decay 
• decomposition 
• deterioration 
• erosion 
• rust