Erosion

the act or state of ; state of being .
the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, winds, waves, etc.
Contemporary Examples

Moreover, the DSM changes risk an erosion of the autism spectrum at the higher-functioning end.
Don’t Remove Asperger’s From the DSM Lucy Berrington May 20, 2011

Tannen sees an erosion of the barriers between public and private conversations.
Calling BS on the Surge in Cursing by Beltway Politicians Lauren Ashburn February 27, 2013

But Romney is polling strong in the state due in part to an erosion of white support for Obama.
Obama’s Risky Demographic Gamble John Avlon October 24, 2012

But it is also true that what is unfolding hastens the erosion of American global economic leadership.
Will Wall Street Snap? Zachary Karabell July 24, 2011

The more socially conservative libertarian-conservatives worry about family cohesion and erosion of religious belief.
Up To A Point: My Problem With People Who Agree With Me P. J. O’Rourke July 19, 2014

Historical Examples

In either case, erosion has carried away its walls and filled up the channel leading from it, and thus obliterated its site.
Archeological Investigations Gerard Fowke

Then, to stop this “erosion,” the obturating (sealing) primer came into use.
Artillery Through the Ages Albert Manucy

erosion by wind seems to have had something to do with these depressions.
The Argentine Republic Pierre Denis

It is also clear that two periods of erosion are represented on its walls.
The Andes of Southern Peru Isaiah Bowman

It is something heretofore unknown and unsuspected in scenery—a miracle of erosion, a peerless fantasy of color.
Zion National Park Various

noun
the wearing away of rocks and other deposits on the earth’s surface by the action of water, ice, wind, etc
the act or process of eroding or the state of being eroded
n.

1540s, from Middle French erosion (16c.), from Latin erosionem (nominative erosio) “a gnawing away,” noun of action from past participle stem of erodere “gnaw away,” from ex- “away” (see ex-) + rodere “gnaw” (see rodent).

erosion e·ro·sion (ĭ-rō’zhən)
n.

Superficial destruction of a surface by friction, pressure, ulceration, or trauma.

The wearing away of a tooth by chemical or abrasive action. Also called odontolysis.

erosion
(ĭ-rō’zhən)
The gradual wearing away of land surface materials, especially rocks, sediments, and soils, by the action of water, wind, or a glacier. Usually erosion also involves the transport of eroded material from one place to another, as from the top of a mountain to an adjacent valley, or from the upstream portion of a river to the downstream portion.

A type of weathering in which surface soil and rock are worn away through the action of glaciers, water, and wind.