Degradation may refer to:

Science

Degradation (geology) In geology, degradation refers to the lowering of a fluvial surface, such as a stream bed or floodplain, through erosional processes. Degradation is the opposite of aggradation. Degradation is characteristic of channel networks in which either bedr ...

, lowering of a fluvial surface by erosion *

Degradation (telecommunications) In telecommunication, degradation is the loss of quality of an electronic signal, which may be categorized as either "''graceful''" or "''catastrophic''", and has the following meanings: #The deterioration in quality, level, or standard of perform ...

, of an electronic signal *

Biodegradation Biodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. It is generally assumed to be a natural process, which differentiates it from composting. Composting is a human-driven process in which biodegrada ...

of organic substances by living organisms *

Environmental degradation Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment (biophysical), environment through depletion of resources such as quality of air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; an ...

in ecology *

Land degradation Land degradation is a process in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by a combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land. It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to be deleterious ...

, a process in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by a combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land *

Polymer degradation Polymer degradation is the reduction in the physical properties of a polymer, such as strength, caused by changes in its chemical composition. Polymers and particularly plastics are subject to degradation at all stages of their product life cycle ...

, as plastics age

Other

Elegant degradation Elegant degradation is a term used in engineering to describe what occurs to machines which are subject to constant, repetitive stress. Externally, such a machine maintains the same appearance to the user, appearing to function properly. Internally ...

, gradual rather than sudden * Graceful degradation, in a

fault-tolerant system Fault tolerance is the property that enables a system to continue operating properly in the event of the failure of one or more faults within some of its components. If its operating quality decreases at all, the decrease is proportional to the ...

Degradation (knighthood) Degradation is the formal term for removal of a knighthood or other honour. The last knight to be publicly degraded was Sir Francis Mitchell in 1621. More recent examples include Sir Roger Casement, whose knighthood was canceled for treason during ...

, revocation of knighthood *

Cashiering Cashiering (or degradation ceremony), generally within military forces, is a ritual dismissal of an individual from some position of responsibility for a breach of discipline. Etymology From the Flemish (to dismiss from service; to discard r ...

, whereby a military officer is dismissed for misconduct *

Reduction in rank Reduction in rank may refer to three separate concepts: *In military law, a ''reduction in rank'' or ''degradation'' is a demotion in military rank as punishment for a crime or wrongdoing, imposed by a court-martial or other authority. It may be im ...

, whereby a military officer is reduced to a lower rank for misconduct * Degradation, the former ceremony of

defrocking Defrocking, unfrocking, degradation, or laicization of clergy is the removal of their rights to exercise the functions of the ordained ministry. It may be grounded on criminal convictions, disciplinary problems, or disagreements over doctrine or d ...

a disgraced priest * ''Degradation'', a song by the Violent Femmes, from ''

Add It Up (1981–1993) ''Add It Up (1981–1993)'' is a compilation album released by Violent Femmes in 1993. Track listing Personnel * Gordon Gano – vocals, guitar * Brian Ritchie – bass, vocals * Victor DeLorenzo Victor DeLorenzo (born October 25, 1954) i ...

Science

Other

See also