The progresSIve reduction in amplitude of a SIgnal as it travels farther from the point of origin. For example, an electric SIgnal' s amplitude reduces with distance due to electrical impedance. Attenuation is usually measured in decibels [per metre?]. Attenuation does not imply appreciable modification of the shape of the waveform (distortion), though as the SIgnal amplitude falls the SIgnal-to-noise ratio will also fall unless the channel itself is noise free or the SIgnal is amplified at some intermediate point(s) along the channel. ["Networking Essentials, second edition", Microsoft Corporation, pub. Microsoft Press 1997]. (2003-07-29)