subsidence

Everyday

1. Subsidence is when the ground slowly sinks lower, which can crack buildings, roads and walls. tree →
2. Subsidence can also mean a thing such as a flood, storm or feeling dying down. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons, subsidence is caused by old mines underneath, soil drying out, removal of groundwater or soft ground; it is part of studying how land changes. In everyday life in the UK, homeowners worry about subsidence cracks, and house insurance covers it. Phrases: «subsidence damage», «mining subsidence».

Examples

• Subsidence caused big cracks in the wall of the old house. tree →
• The road was closed because of subsidence. tree →
• Old coal mines can cause subsidence above them. tree →
• Dry summers can shrink clay soil and lead to subsidence. tree →
• The surveyor checked the house for subsidence. tree →
• Pumping out too much groundwater can cause subsidence. tree →
• After the subsidence of the floodwater, people went home. tree →

Note

Uncountable. From the verb «subside» (to sink or to die down). Pronounced «sub-SY-dence» or «SUB-sid-ence». Not the same as a landslide, which is fast and sideways.