deg·ra·da·tion 
/ˌdɛgrəˈdeɪʃən/ noun
plural deg·ra·da·tions /ˌdɛgrəˈdeɪʃən/ noun somewhat formal 1 : the act or process of damaging or ruining something [noncount] ▪ degradation of the environment [count] ▪ There has been a slight degradation [=decline] in the car's performance. 2 : the act of treating someone or something poorly and without respect [noncount] ▪ the degradation of women ▪ He was forced to live a life of degradation. [=a life in which he suffered and was treated very poorly] [count] ▪ He was forced to suffer the degradations [=indignities] of poverty and abuse.
