/ˌdegrəˈdeɪʃn ||; ˌdɛgrəˈdeʃən/noun [U]:
1 the action of making sb be less respected; the state of being less respected 降低身分;丢脸: the degradation of being in prison 坐牢这种丢脸的事
2 causing the condition of sth to become worse 退化;恶化: environmental degradation 环境恶化