erosion

/ɪˈroʊʒən/
noun
  1. The gradual wearing away of land or rock by natural forces like water, wind, or ice.
    • Coastal erosion has caused several beaches to shrink over the past decade.
    • Planting trees helps prevent soil erosion on hillsides.
    • The Grand Canyon was formed by millions of years of erosion from the Colorado River.
  2. The gradual destruction or weakening of something abstract, such as trust, rights, or values.
    • The constant criticism led to an erosion of her self-confidence.
    • The erosion of traditional values worried many older members of the community.
    • There has been a slow erosion of privacy rights in the digital age.
  3. The process of being worn away or eaten into, as by acid or friction.
    • Acid rain causes erosion of stone statues and buildings.
    • The mechanic noticed erosion on the metal gears from years of use.
    • Dental erosion can occur from drinking too many acidic beverages.
What does "erosion" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean