attrition
uh-TRIHSHN
Attrition (noun) means a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts. Example: “The department shrank through attrition rather than layoffs.”
noun
1
A gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts.
"The department shrank through attrition rather than layoffs."
"Years of attrition wore the army down before the final battle."
2
The physical wearing away of a surface by friction or grinding.
"The rock face showed signs of attrition from centuries of wind and sand."
How to use attrition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slow, steady wearing-down or thinning-out, often used for staff numbers or military losses over time.
Memory tip
Attrition is almost always gradual and passive — people leave or things wear away on their own, nobody actively removes them.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
natural attrition
a war of attrition
staff attrition rate
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Word forms
- Plural
- attritions
- Third person singular
- attritions
- Past tense
- attritioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The department shrank through _____ rather than layoffs.
Etymology
From Latin attritio, "a rubbing against," from atterere, "to wear down" — built from ad- ("towards") and terere ("to rub").
Related words
Rhymes for attrition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
abortion
abrasion
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
See all rhymes for attrition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “attrition” mean?
The word “attrition” means a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts. In plain terms, a slow, steady wearing-down or thinning-out, often used for staff numbers or military losses over time.
How do you pronounce “attrition”?
“Attrition” is pronounced uh-TRIHSHN (/əˈtɹɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “attrition” in a sentence?
Here is “attrition” used in a sentence: “The department shrank through attrition rather than layoffs.”
What part of speech is “attrition”?
“Attrition” is a noun.
Where does the word “attrition” come from?
The word “attrition” comes from Latin. From Latin attritio, "a rubbing against," from atterere, "to wear down" — built from ad- ("towards") and terere ("to rub").
Is “attrition” a common word?
“Attrition” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “attrition” have?
“Attrition” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts.
