Standard Lemma guide

embrittlement

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ɛmˈbɹɪtl̩mənt/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The process of being embrittled; loss of flexibility or elasticity of a material; the development of brittleness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: degradation, damage, weakening

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Old French en-bor. Middle English en- English em- English brittle English embrittle Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-mentom Latin -mentum Old French -mentbor. Middle English -ment English -ment English embrittlement From embrittle + -ment.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: verbrossing — Process of being embrittled.
  • Dutch: verbrossing — Process of being embrittled.
  • German: Versprödung — Process of being embrittled.