noun
degeneration
dih-jeh-nuh-RAY-shuhn
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
Word Forms
degenerations plural
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The disease causes gradual _____ of the optic nerve.
Etymology
From French dégénération, from Latin dēgenerātiō — the noun form of "degenerate."