Decompose Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of DECOMPOSE

1

:

to cause something (such as dead plants and the bodies of dead animals) to be slowly destroyed and broken down by natural processes, chemicals, etc.

[+ object]

• Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
• partially decomposed bodies

[no object]

• The wood on our deck is beginning to decompose. [=(less formally) _rot_]
• the smell of decomposing leaves

2

technical

:

to cause something (such as a chemical) to be separated into smaller or simpler parts

[+ object]

• decompose a chemical compound

[no object]

• The compound will decompose in the presence of light.

— decomposition

/diˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/

noun

[noncount]

• The wood is already showing signs of decomposition.
• the decomposition of organic matter