noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
General term for organic decay, rotting, or gradual wearing away of materials by natural forces. Often used in scientific and everyday contexts.
湿気で木材が腐食した。
The wood decayed due to moisture.
酸
Acid rain is eroding the stone statue.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
Specifically refers to chemical or electrochemical deterioration, especially of metals. Common in engineering and materials science.
鉄は酸素と水で腐食して錆びる。
Iron corrodes and rusts when exposed to oxygen and water.
この合金は腐食に強い。
This alloy is resistant to corrosion.
noun
Only when written 腐食
Biology term for feeding on dead or decaying organic matter. Restricted to the 腐食 spelling; not used with 腐蝕.
See also: 腐生
腐食は、死んだ有機物を栄養源とする生物の摂食様式である。
Saprophagy is a feeding mode in which organisms consume dead organic matter.