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attrition definition

at·tri·tion (ə tris̸h′ən)

noun

  1. the act or process of wearing away or grinding down by friction
  2. any gradual wearing or weakening, esp. to the point of exhaustion a siege is a battle of attrition
  3. loss of personnel in an organization in the normal course of events, as by retirement
  4. Theol. repentance that is not perfect because not prompted solely by sorrow for having offended God

Etymology: ME attricioun < L attritio < attritus, pp. of atterere, to wear, rub away < ad-, to + terere, to rub: see throw

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business attrition definition - business

medical attrition definition - medical

attrition Synonyms

attrition

n.

wearing down, wearing away, friction, rubbing, abrasion, weakening, grinding down, erosion, depreciation, gradual disintegration, reduction, decline; see also reduction 1.

Antonyms increase*, appreciation*, buildup.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

attrition Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • neuron: Normally, significant attrition of motor neurons does not occur until a person reaches the age of 60 years or more.

Converse of object

  • suffer: Others will suffer the steady attrition of chronic health problems that diminish the quality of their life for much of their old age.

Adjective modifier

  • natural: About a third of the jobs will be lost through natural attrition.

Modifies a noun

  • rate: There is a 3.8 % attrition rate for staff.

Noun used with modifier

  • cent: The argument about the famous 3 per cent attrition rate is also rather spurious.
attrition usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"attrition." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/attrition>

APA Style

attrition. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/attrition

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