corrode

verb

cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd How to pronounce corrode (audio)
corroded; corroding

transitive verb

1
: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing
especially : to wear away gradually usually by chemical action
the metal was corroded beyond repair
2
: to weaken or destroy gradually : undermine
manners and miserliness that corrode the human spiritBernard De Voto
corrodible adjective

Did you know?

Corrode comes from Latin corrodere ("to gnaw to pieces"), a combination of the prefix "cor-" (used here as an intensifier with the meaning of "completely") and the verb "rodere" ("to gnaw"). At one time, "corrode" was used to literally indicate the action of gnawing away, as in "woodworms corroded the wood." But it is the more figurative senses from the action of gnawing or eating away that have persisted, as in "salt water corroded the iron" or "graphic content on television and the Internet is corroding the moral fabric of society."

Examples of corrode in a Sentence

Rainwater may corrode the steel containers. Over time, the pipes become corroded and need to be replaced. After a few weeks in the ocean, the boat began to corrode. Years of lies and secrets had corroded their relationship.
Recent Examples on the Web For decades, a graveyard of corroding barrels has littered the seafloor just off the coast of Los Angeles. Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Under their sway, every issue becomes a partisan issue, and the acid of political division corrodes the fabric of our society. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024 Technicians replaced any of the lines that appeared like they might be corroded, totaling about 15,000 feet of tubing, according to Parsons. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 18 Aug. 2023 But others say the Central American nation is headed down a dangerous path that could corrode democracy and trickle out to the rest of the region. Megan Janetsky The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 6 Feb. 2024 The kettle doesn’t corrode with time and conducts heat efficiently and evenly, boiling water quickly. Anna Tingley, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023 Chloride ions can corrode vehicles and infrastructure. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2024 Plus, the rustproof metal is unlikely to corrode over time. Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2024 Environmental groups also shared overwhelming concerns about Exxon’s portrayal of restoring the existing pipeline, which was found to be heavily corroded in 2015. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corrode.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corroden, borrowed from Latin corrōdere "to gnaw, chew up," from cor-, variant before r of com- com- + rōdere "to gnaw, nibble, eat away" — more at rodent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corrode was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near corrode

Cite this Entry

“Corrode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corrode. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

corrode

verb
cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd How to pronounce corrode (audio)
corroded; corroding
: to eat or be eaten away by degrees as if by gnawing
a bridge corroded by rust

Medical Definition

corrode

verb
cor·​rode kə-ˈrōd How to pronounce corrode (audio)
corroded; corroding

transitive verb

: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing
especially : to wear away gradually usually by chemical action

More from Merriam-Webster on corrode

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