putrefaction

noun

pu·​tre·​fac·​tion ˌpyü-trə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the decomposition of organic matter

especially : the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products

2

: the state of being putrefied : corruption

putrefactive

ˌpyü-trə-ˈfak-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of putrefaction

• decomposition
• decay

Examples of putrefaction in a Sentence

clearing the refrigerator of what the previous tenant had left behind was like taking a course in the advanced putrefaction of leftovers

Recent Examples on the Web

Not the smell of putrefaction, though the novel is littered with rotting corpses. — Nathaniel Rich, The New York Review of Books, 30 Nov. 2023

When the surgeons finally opened her with a piece of broken glass, the putrefaction was as warm as life. — Nell Zink, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025

Now guys, be sure to say thank you to the man responsible for the pool’s putrefaction and the rest of the surrounding devastation. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026

Nikolai Gogol’s will specified that his corpse must show visible signs of putrefaction before burial. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English putrefaccion, from Late Latin putrefaction-, putrefactio, from Latin putrefacere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for putrefaction

• benefaction
• counteraction
• interaction
• liquefaction
• rarefaction
• satisfaction
• stupefaction
• tumefaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction

Kids Definition

putrefaction

noun

pu·​tre·​fac·​tion ˌpyü-trə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the rotting of organic matter

2

: the state of being putrefied : corruption

Medical Definition

putrefaction

noun

pu·​tre·​fac·​tion ˌpyü-trə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the decomposition of organic matter

especially : the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products

2

: the state of being putrefied