obsolescence
noun
ob·so·les·cence
ˌäb-sə-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 
: the process of becoming obsolete or the condition of being nearly obsolete
the gradual obsolescence of machinery
reduced to obsolescence
the planned obsolescence of automobiles
Examples of obsolescence in a Sentence
the obsolescence of the old technology
Once a useful tool, slide rules have fallen into obsolescence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Think of the idea of planned obsolescence, which is baked into all technology.
—
Wayne Elsey, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
To a renaissance of human creativity or its gradual obsolescence?
—Wolfgang Messner, The Conversation, 2 June 2025
And with a president largely unsympathetic toward immigrants’ success, that could lead to obsolescence for a large subsection of workers powering the apparel manufacturing operations in the U.S. today.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
Organizations that treat Generative AI as a set of apps will see temporary productivity bumps—followed by competitive obsolescence.
—John Sviokla, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsolescence
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Wayne Elsey, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
To a renaissance of human creativity or its gradual obsolescence?
—Wolfgang Messner, The Conversation, 2 June 2025
And with a president largely unsympathetic toward immigrants’ success, that could lead to obsolescence for a large subsection of workers powering the apparel manufacturing operations in the U.S. today.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
Organizations that treat Generative AI as a set of apps will see temporary productivity bumps—followed by competitive obsolescence.
—John Sviokla, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obsolescence
Cite this Entry
“Obsolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsolescence. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obsolescence
noun
ob·so·les·cence
ˌäb-sə-ˈles-ᵊn(t)s
: the process of becoming obsolete or the state of being nearly obsolete
Legal Definition
obsolescence
noun
ob·so·les·cence
ˌäb-sə-ˈles-ᵊns
: a loss in the utility or value of property that results over time from intrinsic limitations (as outmoded facilities) or external circumstances
Note: Obsolescence is usually distinguished from depreciation and physical deterioration.
—
economic obsolescence
: obsolescence that results from external factors (as location) that render a property obsolete, no longer competitive, unattractive to purchasers or investors, or of decreasing usefulness
claimed that the appraisal failed to account for economic obsolescence resulting from an adjacent waste facility
—
functional obsolescence
\
ˈfəŋk-shə-nəl-
\
: obsolescence deriving from a lack of adequate or appropriate equipment, space, or design
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