noun
Uncommon
degeneration
dih-jeh-nuh-RAY-shuhn
Degeneration (noun) means the process of becoming worse, weaker, or less functional over time. Example: “The disease causes gradual degeneration of the optic nerve.”
noun
1
The process of becoming worse, weaker, or less functional over time.
"The disease causes gradual degeneration of the optic nerve."
"Years of neglect led to the degeneration of the old estate."
How to use degeneration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe gradual worsening or breakdown of something, often used medically or structurally.
Common pairings
muscle degeneration
nerve degeneration
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Word forms
- Plural
- degenerations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The disease causes gradual _____ of the optic nerve.
Etymology
From French dégénération, from Latin dēgenerātiō — the noun form of "degenerate."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for degeneration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for degeneration →
Frequently asked questions
What does “degeneration” mean?
The word “degeneration” means the process of becoming worse, weaker, or less functional over time. In plain terms, the gradual worsening or breakdown of something, often used medically or structurally.
How do you pronounce “degeneration”?
“Degeneration” is pronounced dih-jeh-nuh-RAY-shuhn (/dɪˌdʒɛnəˈɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “degeneration” in a sentence?
Here is “degeneration” used in a sentence: “The disease causes gradual degeneration of the optic nerve.”
What is another word for “degeneration”?
Words with a similar meaning to “degeneration” include nerf.
What part of speech is “degeneration”?
“Degeneration” is a noun.
Where does the word “degeneration” come from?
The word “degeneration” comes from Latin. From French dégénération, from Latin dēgenerātiō — the noun form of "degenerate.".
Is “degeneration” a common word?
“Degeneration” is an uncommon word in modern English.
