attrition
noun · verb
Simple meaning
A gradual reduction in number.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
uhtrishuhnSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ətˈɹɪʃən
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A gradual reduction in number.
The wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice
A wearing down to weaken or destroy
Grinding down or wearing away by friction.
human resources
A gradual, natural reduction in membership or personnel, as through injury, incapacitation, retirement, resignation, or death.
Erosion by friction
verb
transitive
To reduce the number of (jobs or workers) by not hiring new employees to fill positions that become vacant (often with out).
intransitive
To undergo a reduction in number.
transitive
To grind or wear down through friction.
Word at a Glance
- Frequency
- Uncommon
Share your sentence
Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
The rate of shrinkage in size or number.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Keep learning “attrition” by choosing the kind of practice you need next.
- Practice sentence writingWrite sentences with vocabulary and get instant feedback.
- Practice in contextAnswer short vocabulary questions drawn from real situations.
- Review vocabularyTest your recall and strengthen words over time.
- Practice typingType vocabulary in short rounds that draw from words you've learned and saved.
Want to type words like this one without looking at the keyboard? Each typing round draws from words you've learned, saved or need to review. Follow the free Learn to Type lessons and type your own vocabulary with confidence.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.