Definition of "attrition" in English

noun

1. Grinding down or wearing away by friction.

2. A gradual reduction in number.

3. (theology) Imperfect contrition or remorse.

verb

1. (transitive) To grind or wear down through friction.

   • attritioned teeth; attritioned rock

2. (transitive) To reduce the number of (jobs or workers) by not hiring new employees to fill positions that become vacant (often with out).

3. (intransitive) To undergo a reduction in number.

   • The cohort of one hundred students had attritioned to sixty by the end of secondary school.