depletion
gb/dɪplˈiʃən/ us/dɪplˈiʃən/
B2
English
~ 9700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
gradual reduction through use
The slow use of something so that there is less and less of it left.
Usage pattern:
depletion of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *“depletion from”* instead of *“depletion of”* (e.g. say *“depletion of resources”*, not *“depletion from resources”*). They may also confuse the noun *depletion* with the verb *deplete* and write *“we depletion our savings”* instead of *“we deplete our savings”*.
Synonyms
exhaustion (Often suggests something has been used almost completely, sometimes with a sense of damage or strain.)
Antonyms
replenishment (Focuses on filling something up again, the opposite process of using it up.)
Collocations
depletion of natural resources
|ozone depletion
|resource depletion
|nutrient depletion
|gradual depletion
|severe depletion
Themes
environment
|economy
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The depletion of natural resources is a major global concern.
- Overfishing has led to the depletion of fish stocks in the region.
- The report warns of rapid depletion of the company’s cash reserves.
- Constant travel and long hours caused a serious depletion of his energy.
- Soil depletion has reduced the farm’s crop yields over the past decade.
Learner examples
- The depletion of water in the lake worries local people.
- There is a serious depletion of oil in this area.
- Ozone depletion can harm plants, animals, and humans.
- The war led to a quick depletion of food supplies.
- Hard exercise can cause a depletion of your energy.
unknown
technical
C1
state
2
abnormally low level in body
A state where the body does not have enough of something important, like iron, vitamins, or oxygen.
Usage pattern:
depletion of [substance] in [the body]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *depletion* with *defeat* or *depression* because of similar spelling. In medical texts, they may overuse *depletion* where *deficiency* is more idiomatic (e.g. *“vitamin D deficiency”* is more common than *“vitamin D depletion”* in many contexts).
Synonyms
deficiency (Common medical term; often used when the level is low enough to cause symptoms or disease.)
Antonyms
adequacy (Describes having a normal or sufficient level of a needed substance in the body.)
Collocations
iron depletion
|vitamin depletion
|calcium depletion
|oxygen depletion
|severe depletion
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Examples
- Long-term iron depletion can lead to anemia.
- The patients showed significant vitamin D depletion during the winter months.
- Fluid depletion after the surgery increased the risk of complications.
- Oxygen depletion in the blood can cause dizziness and confusion.
- The study linked calcium depletion to a higher rate of bone fractures.
Learner examples
- Iron depletion can make a person feel very tired.
- Vitamin depletion is common in people who eat very little.
- Oxygen depletion in the body is dangerous.
- The doctor checked him for salt depletion after the long race.
- They gave her supplements to stop further iron depletion.
Grammar
Dictionary form
depletion
IPA
GB/dɪplˈiʃən/
US/dɪplˈiʃən/
Syllables & stress
de - ple - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ple)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: depletion
- Plural: depletion, depletions
Word family
Expressions
run low on
1/ɹˈʌn lˈoʊ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
have only a small amount left
To have only a little of something left.
Examples
- We’re running low on fuel, so we should stop at the next gas station.
- The hospital is running low on medical supplies.
- My phone is running low on battery.
in short supply
1/ˈɪn ʃˈɔɹt səplˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
not enough available
Not available in a large enough amount; difficult to find because there is not much of it.
Examples
- Fresh vegetables are in short supply during the winter months.
- Affordable housing is in short supply in many big cities.
- Good jobs are in short supply in this area.
- During the drought, clean water was in short supply.
- Skilled nurses are in short supply at the moment.
use up
1/jˈuz ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Consume completely a resource
To finish all of something so there is none left.
Examples
- We used up all the milk making pancakes.
- She used up all the flour making bread.
- Don't use up all your energy before the race.
- Do not use up all your energy on the first task.
- We’ve used up our data for this month.
run out of
1/ɹˈʌn ˈaʊt əv/
phrasal verb
Use all of something up
To finish all of something and have no more left.
Examples
- We ran out of milk this morning.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll go buy some.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll buy more.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll go buy more.
- We've run out of milk, so I'll go buy some more.
- We’ve run out of milk, so I need to go to the store.
- We've run out of milk, so I need to go shopping.
- We ran out of water during the hike.
- They ran out of time before finishing the exam.
- He ran out of time before finishing the test.
- She ran out of time during the exam.
- She ran out of time before finishing the test.
- The printer ran out of paper during the meeting.
- I can't print because I've run out of paper.
- He ran out of money before the end of the month.
- She ran out of patience and left the meeting.
- She ran out of time before finishing the exam.
- Hurry up, we’re running out of time!
- The printer ran out of ink in the middle of the job.
- If we keep spending like this, we’ll run out of money by next month.
run out of
4/ɹˈʌn ˈaʊt əv/
phrasal verb
use all of a supply
To have no more of something because it has all been used.
Examples
- We ran out of time before the last question.
- The car ran out of gas on the highway.
- Don't forget to order more cups; we're running out of cups.