5 meanings: 1. the act of wearing away or the state of being worn away, as by friction 2. constant wearing down to weaken or.... Click for more definitions. Learn what employee attrition is, how it differs from employee turnover, and how to measure and manage it. Find out the causes, types, and consequences of attrition , and get tips for attrition management. Define attrition . attrition synonyms, attrition pronunciation, attrition translation, English dictionary definition of attrition . n. 1. A rubbing away or wearing down by friction. 2. a. A gradual reduction in number or strength because of stress or military action. b. A gradual... Attrition is the gradual reduction of a workforce as employees leave or retire. This is usually measured by what is called the attrition rate. Most employers want a low attrition rate because it means that employees are satisfied and they don't have to train new people.