e ‧ ro ‧ sion AC /ɪˈrəʊʒ ə n $ ɪˈroʊ-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ erode ; noun : ↑ erosion ]
1 . the process by which rock or soil is gradually destroyed by wind, rain, or the sea:
the problem of soil erosion
the erosion of the coastline
2 . the process by which something is gradually reduced or destroyed
erosion of
the gradual erosion of our civil liberties
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ cause erosion
Acid rain has caused serious erosion, and now the entire hillside could slide down.
▪ lead to/result in erosion
Poor farming practices have led to erosion of the soil.
▪ suffer (from) erosion
Many areas of farmland have suffered severe erosion.
▪ reduce erosion
new measures designed to stop flooding and reduce erosion
▪ erosion happens/occurs
The highest rates of erosion occur where soil is exposed to drought.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + erosion
▪ serious/severe erosion
Some areas of the coast have suffered severe erosion.
▪ significant erosion (=quite severe)
This system of cultivation leads to significant erosion of the subsoil.
▪ soil erosion
Soil erosion is worse in areas where trees have been cut down.
▪ marine/coastal erosion (=on land that is close to the sea)
Coastal erosion is worrying the local residents.
▪ water/wind erosion (=caused by water or wind)
Hedgerows and trees help to reduce the effect of wind erosion.
■ phrases
▪ the rate of erosion
The maps show that the average rate of coastal erosion is about four metres per year.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ adjectives
▪ serious/significant erosion
The demonstrators were protesting about the serious erosion of individual freedoms.
▪ gradual/steady erosion
There has been a steady erosion of the court's powers over the last ten years.