# attenuation

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #36,440

## Definitions
1. A gradual diminishing of strength.
2. A reduction in the level of some property with distance, especially the amplitude of a wave or the strength of a signal.
3. A weakening in the virulence of a pathogen or other microorganism.
4. The tapering of a leaf etc to a fine point.
5. A fabrication process in which a material is stretched out into a thin shape.
6. The reduction of the active principles of medicines to minute doses.
7. The proportion of sugar that is converted to ethanol by a yeast.

## Etymology
From Middle English attenuacioun, a borrowing from Latin attenuātiō (“a diminishing”). Equivalent to attenuate + -ion.

## Easily confused with
- **attestation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attenuation-vs-attestation)
- **attention** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attention-vs-attenuation)

## Common misspellings (14)
`atenuation`, `atetnuation`, `attenaution`, `attennuation`, `attenuaiton`, `attenuasion`, `attenuatino`, `attenuationn`, `attenuatoin`, `attenuattion`, `attenutaion`, `atteunation`, `attneuation`, `tatenuation`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/attenuation