1the process of reducing something’s strength or effectiveness through sustained attack or pressure:the council is trying to wear down the opposition by attritionthe squadron suffered severe attrition of its bombers
chiefly North American & Australian/NZ the gradual reduction of a workforce by employees leaving and not being replaced rather than by redundancy:the company said that it will reduce its worldwide employment by about 10% through attrition
wearing away by friction; abrasion:the skull shows attrition of the edges of the teeth
2(in scholastic theology) sorrow for sin, falling short of contrition.
