< Back
corrosion
Definition
Corrosion is the gradual destruction of a material by chemical or electrochemical reactions with its environment.
Let's say you have a metal toy car and you leave it outside in the rain. After a while, the car will start to rust. This is because the metal in the car is reacting with the water in the air. The reaction is called corrosion, and it is what causes metal to rust.
How can the word be used?
The iron pipe corroded over time, causing a leak.
Different forms of the word
Noun: corrosion.
Adjective: corrosive.
Verb: corrode.
Adverb: corrosively.
Pronoun: corrosion.
Etymology
The word "corrosion" comes from the Latin word "corrōdere," which means "to gnaw away." The root word "roder" means "to gnaw," and it is also the root of the word "rodent." So, something that is corrosive is something that gnaw away at a material, like a rodent gnawing on a piece of wood.
Question
What materials corrode?