decompose

verb

de·​com·​pose ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 

decomposed; decomposing; decomposes

transitive verb

1

: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds

decompose water by electrolysis

decompose a word into its base and affixes

2

: rot

intransitive verb

: to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process : decay, rot

fruit decomposes

decomposability

ˌdē-kəm-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

decomposable

ˌdē-kəm-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective

decomposition

(ˌ)dē-ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• break down
• corrupt
• decay
• disintegrate
• fester
• foul
• mold
• molder
• perish [chiefly British]
• putrefy
• rot
• spoil

Choose the Right Synonym for decompose

decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution.

decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

Examples of decompose in a Sentence

Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.

the smell of decomposing leaves

The compound will decompose in the presence of light.

Recent Examples on the Web

The sight of Till’s mutilated and decomposed corpse at his open-casket funeral galvanized the civil-rights movement. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Listen to this article A zombie ant, a pair of bats and a gorilla lurked around the shadiest alcoves of a Cook County forest preserve on Saturday, scouring the earth for decomposing life forms. —Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024

In decomposing, sufficient heat is developed and vapors begin to be emitted. —Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

There, the bodies were assessed based on their usefulness to medical science: Those that tested positive for infectious diseases or had begun to decompose were cremated. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

decompose

verb

de·​com·​pose ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 

1

: to separate a thing into its parts or into simpler compounds

decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen

2

: to break down through chemical change : rot

decomposable

-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

decompose

verb

de·​com·​pose ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 

decomposed; decomposing

transitive verb

: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds

decompose water by electrolysis

intransitive verb

: to undergo chemical breakdown : decay, rot

fruit decomposes

decomposability

-ˌpō-zə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural decomposabilities

decomposable

-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective