noun · academic

depletion

/dɪˈpliːʃən/de·PLI·tion

Band 6-7task2speaking

the reduction or removal of a supply or resource

Examples

Overuse of groundwater has led to depletion of the aquifer.

Soil nutrient depletion can make fields unproductive over time.

The report warned of possible depletion of available reserves within decades.

Band 8 sentence

Unchecked extraction and consumption have accelerated depletion of key reserves, necessitating immediate policy reform.

Collocations

  • depletion of + resource
  • prevent depletion
  • rapid depletion

Word family

deplete verbdepleting verb/adjective

Common mistakes

There are depletion of resources.There is depletion of resources.

They deplete the water quickly last year.They depleted the water quickly last year.

Say it for a higher band

5use up6run out of7+depletion

Synonyms

exhaustion

reduction

Easily confused

degradation

Resource depletion may occur without obvious degradation of the landscape.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Nature & Animals

Learn it with its set