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Attrition Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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attrition

[əˈtrɪʃ(ə)n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

workplace

The gradual reduction of staff through voluntary resignations, retirements, or deaths, without replacing those who leave.

Synonyms

churn, depletion, turnover.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
attrition

Attrition is typically used in business contexts to describe a gradual reduction in the number of employees or customers over time. This term often implies a more passive or natural process where no active effort is made to replace the losses.

  • The company faced high attrition rates last year, leading to a significant loss of experienced staff
  • The customer attrition rate has increased due to poor service
turnover

Turnover is commonly used in business and HR contexts to talk about the rate at which employees leave and are replaced. While it can also be used to discuss inventory or financial transactions, it generally focuses on people in a professional setting.

  • High employee turnover is affecting the company's productivity
  • The turnover rate in the retail sector is traditionally high due to seasonal employment
churn

Churn is mostly used in the context of customer service and subscription-based businesses. It refers to the rate at which customers stop subscribing to a service or stop buying from a company. The word often carries a negative implication as it indicates loss and instability.

  • The telecom industry is working hard to reduce churn by offering better customer service
  • Our churn rate has doubled this quarter, and we need to identify the reasons behind it
depletion

Depletion is frequently used when discussing resources, such as natural resources or financial reserves. It refers to a reduction in quantity or availability and often has a negative connotation.

  • The rapid depletion of the forest is causing environmental concerns
  • The company's financial depletion is alarming, and urgent measures are needed

Examples of usage

  • High levels of attrition can be costly for a company.
  • Employee attrition rates have been on the rise in recent years.
Context #2 | Noun

military

The action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of an enemy through sustained attack or pressure.

Synonyms

erosion, weakening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
attrition

This word is often used in a business or organizational context to describe the gradual reduction of staff or employees through natural means like retirement or resignation. It focuses on the slow and continuous nature of the reduction.

  • The company is managing its cost through natural attrition.
  • The department's staff has been reduced by attrition over the past year.
erosion

Erosion is typically used in a geological or environmental context to describe the gradual destruction or wearing away of something, usually land or rock, due to natural forces like wind or water. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the gradual decline or destruction of something intangible, such as values or trust.

  • The constant wave action caused the erosion of the shoreline.
  • The erosion of public trust in the government is concerning.
weakening

Weakening is a general term that can be used in various contexts to describe something that becomes less strong or powerful. This can apply to physical strength, financial positions, influences, or any system that can lose its robustness.

  • The patient's condition is weakening despite the treatment.
  • There's a weakening of the national currency against the dollar.

Examples of usage

  • The attrition of enemy forces was a key strategy in the war.
  • The military campaign focused on attrition rather than swift victories.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Military History

  • Attrition warfare is a strategy intended to wear down an enemy through continuous losses, rather than a quick and decisive victory.
  • The concept was notably used during World War I, where battles often led to massive casualties but little territorial gain.
  • Famous battles like the Battle of Verdun epitomized the attrition approach, with both sides suffering devastating losses.

Business and Education

  • In a corporate context, attrition frequently refers to employee turnover, where staff leave gradually, impacting overall productivity.
  • Educational institutions experience attrition when students drop out over time, which can affect funding and class dynamics.
  • Organizations often implement retention strategies to combat high attrition rates, emphasizing the importance of employee satisfaction.

Psychology

  • In psychological terms, attrition can describe the gradual loss of participants in a study or program, affecting study results.
  • Participants may drop out due to various factors like motivation, interest, or external pressures, illustrating the importance of engagement.
  • Understanding attrition helps researchers design better experiments and maintain participant retention.

Sports

  • In sports, attrition can refer to how teams lose players to injury or fatigue over a season, impacting overall performance.
  • Coaches often strategize around attrition by managing player workloads to minimize injuries and maintain team strength.
  • Historically, teams that manage player attrition well often outperform rivals down the stretch in competitive seasons.

Origin of 'attrition'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'attritio', meaning 'to rub against' or 'to wear down'.
  • It first appeared in English in the early 15th century, often relating to loss through use.
  • In its original context, the term was often associated with the physical wearing away of materials.

The word 'attrition' originated from the Latin word 'attritio', meaning rubbing against. In the context of warfare, attrition has been a strategy used throughout history to wear down the enemy's resources and manpower. In modern business terminology, attrition refers to the gradual reduction of staff within a company. The term has evolved to encompass voluntary resignations, retirements, or deaths without replacements, leading to a decrease in workforce size.

See also: attract, attraction, attractions, attractive, attractively, attractiveness, attractor, unattractive, unattractively, unattractiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,577, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.