Corrode

To slowly break down or damage something, usually metal, because of a chemical reaction, like when rust forms on a bicycle left outside in the rain.

Examples

• If you leave a metal bike out in the rain for too long, the water can corrode the metal and make it rusty and weak.
• In science class, we learned that saltwater can corrode metal faster than regular water, which is why boats need special paint to protect them.
• When we visited an old castle, our guide explained how the walls began to corrode over time due to exposure to weather and pollution.

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