From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englisherosione‧ro‧sion /ɪˈrəʊʒən $ ɪˈroʊ-/ ●○○ AWL noun [uncountable] 1 SGthe process by which rock or soil is gradually destroyed by wind, rain, or the sea the problem of soil erosion the erosion of the coastline2 REDUCEthe process by which something is gradually reduced or destroyederosion of the gradual erosion of our civil libertiesCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: the process by which rock or soil is gradually destroyed by wind, rain, or the seaverbscause erosionAcid rain has caused serious erosion, and now the entire hillside could slide down.lead to/result in erosionPoor farming practices have led to erosion of the soil.suffer (from) erosionMany areas of farmland have suffered severe erosion.reduce erosionnew measures designed to stop flooding and reduce erosionerosion happens/occursThe highest rates of erosion occur where soil is exposed to drought.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + erosion serious/severe erosionSome areas of the coast have suffered severe erosion.significant erosion (=quite severe)This system of cultivation leads to significant erosion of the subsoil.soil erosionSoil erosion is worse in areas where trees have been cut down.marine/coastal erosion (=on land that is close to the sea)Coastal erosion is worrying the local residents.water/wind erosion (=caused by water or wind)Hedgerows and trees help to reduce the effect of wind erosion.phrasesthe rate of erosionThe maps show that the average rate of coastal erosion is about four metres per year.COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: the process by which something is gradually reduced or destroyedadjectivesserious/significant erosionThe demonstrators were protesting about the serious erosion of individual freedoms.gradual/steady erosionThere has been a steady erosion of the court's powers over the last ten years.
Examples from the Corpus
erosion• Erosion or accretion of sand by wind action is evident throughout and soil genesis is truncated by erosion or fossilised by deposition.• But the networks have scrambled to keep them on the air for another year in an attempt to stem audience erosion.• These movements and earlier erosion have tended to obscure Mesozoic and Paleozoic structures.• The condition is characterized by spinal cysts and the gradual erosion of spinal nerves.• Although the increase in rainfall would aid irrigation, it would add to the problems of soil erosion and nutrient leaching.• Constructing rows of turbines in strategic areas could reduce soil erosion and help to phase out the use of wood for fuel.• soil erosion• Regulators say that although the erosion does not pose an immediate risk, they are concerned about its long-term safety implications.• the erosion of civil liberties• the erosion of our beaches 