Obsolescence Meaning
/ˌɒb.səˈlɛs.əns/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe state of being obsolete—no longer in use; gone into disuse; disused or neglected.
nounThe process of becoming obsolete, outmoded or out of date.
Sentence Examples
Tom blamed all his misery on planned obsolescence.
Cell phones that break before their contract expires are examples of planned obsolescence.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Due to fast technological progress, the old model suffered from ____ and was no longer sold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Planned ____ is a strategy where products are designed to become outdated after a short period.
Word Origin & History
From Latin obsolēscēns present participle of obsolēscere.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Apart from this feature the Trichoptera also differ from the typical Neuroptera in the relatively simple, mostly longitudinal neuration of the wings, the absence or obsolescence of the mandibles and the semi-haustellate nature of the rest of the mouth-parts."
— 1911, “Caddis-fly and Caddis-worm”, in 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica:
"One way is to legislate extended warranties on products, so washing machines and refrigerators last for 30 years instead of 10. Another is to ban planned obsolescence, so manufacturers can’t create products that are designed to fail."
— 2019, Jason Hickel, “Climate breakdown is coming. The UK needs a Greener New Deal”, in Guardian.:
"Shared obsolescences can be of some significance when connected with a functional replacement. If two languages replace an earlier word for 'nose' with some other term and also lose the traditional term, this double agreement is of significance for judging the existence of a common historical period."
— 2005, Joseph Harold Greenberg, William Croft, Genetic Linguistics:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Due to fast technological progress, the old model suffered from ____ and was no longer sold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Planned ____ is a strategy where products are designed to become outdated after a short period.