depletion

/dɪˈpliʃɪn/

/dɪˈpliʃən/

Other forms: depletions

When you think about depletion, think about a resource being decreased. Depletion is usually not a good thing; we worry about the depletion of the ozone and the depletion of the soil.

Have you ever run out of gas or money? Then you know what it's like to be in a state of depletion. Your bank account is in a state of depletion if you've been taking a lot of money out of it. The world's oil reserves are moving closer to depletion as oil runs out. In any type of depletion, something is running low or running out.

Definitions of depletion

1. noun

   the state of being depleted
   types:

   salt depletion

   loss of salt from the body without replacement (loss by vomiting or profuse perspiration or urination or diarrhea) thus upsetting the electrolyte balance

   type of:

   temporary state

   a state that continues for a limited time
2. noun

   the act of decreasing something markedly
   types:

   consumption, expenditure, using up

   the act of consuming something

   exhaustion

   the act of exhausting something entirely

   drain

   a gradual depletion of energy or resources

   burnup

   the amount of fuel used up (as in a nuclear reactor)

   drawing, drawing off

   act of getting or draining something such as electricity or a liquid from a source

   brain drain

   depletion or loss of intellectual and technical personnel

   type of:

   decrease, diminution, reduction, step-down

   the act of decreasing or reducing something