rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycorrodeGradual damage
verb

corrode

kuh-ROHD/kəˈrəʊd/

To gradually wear away or weaken, especially through chemical action.

Salt water corrodes metal railings along the coast.

A close-up of an outdoor iron railing gradually corroding, flaking orange rust eating into gray metal, a hand examining a rough weakened section, no text.
Etymology
corLatinperhaps adds emphasis
+rodeLatinto gnaw

Latin rodere meant “to gnaw,” with com- perhaps intensifying it to “gnaw to bits.” That image of eating something away bit by bit underlies the gradual damage described by corrode, including chemical action.

In context

Plainly Difficult5:17
water settled inside the pressure tubes of the coolant within the core and began to corrode the magnesium alloy components eventually this weakened the vital coolant channels
ReWind: Year 5 Omnibus of Plainly Difficult

More examples

  • The acid has corroded the metal container.
  • These pipes corrode slowly in damp conditions.
  • Years of dishonesty corrode trust between friends.

Forms

corrode · corrodes · corroded · corroding

corrosion noun — Gradual damage caused by chemical action.

corrosive adjective — Able to damage materials through chemical action.

Similar words

erode
Often involves physical wear from water, wind, or friction.
rust
Refers specifically to corrosion of iron or steel.