Erosion means a slow wearing away or removal of material from a surface, usually by natural forces like water, wind, or ice.

In geography and science, erosion is when soil, rock, or sand is picked up from one place and carried to another, gradually changing the shape of the land.

In everyday language, people also use “erosion” to describe something slowly being weakened over time, like an erosion of trust or an erosion of rights.

Example: A river cutting down into rock to form a valley, or waves slowly wearing away a coastline, are classic examples of erosion.

Quick mini-points

  • Caused mainly by water, wind, ice, and gravity.
  • Different types include water erosion, wind erosion, and glacial erosion.
  • Can be a problem when it removes fertile soil farmers need (soil erosion).

Simple way to remember it:
Erosion = wearing away + movement of material from one place to another over time.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.