biodegradable

play

adjective bio·de·grad·able \ -di-ˈgrā-də-bəl \

Definition of biodegradable

:capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (such as microorganisms)

biodegradable trash bags

—

biodegradability

play \-ˌgrā-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

biodegradable

noun

—

biodegradation

play \-ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən\ noun

—

biodegrade

play \-di-ˈgrād\ verb

See biodegradable defined for English-language learners

See biodegradable defined for kids

Recent Examples of biodegradable from the Web

Each drone uses a pressurized can to shoot a biodegradable seed pod into the ground.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "How Drones Could Be Able to Plant a Billion Trees Per Year," 14 Aug. 2017
If that wasn’t enough, JMU is also dedicated to sustainability with biodegradable bags and food waste that becomes fertilizer.

— kalina newman, USA TODAY College, "The best college dining hall in the country is ...," 8 Aug. 2017
Septic systems work by settling solids in an underground tank, while liquids flow into the ground where bacteria colonies consume the biodegradable matter.

— zaz hollander, Alaska Dispatch News, "Mat-Su developers say ‘4-plexes’ on acre lots are good for buyers — but others raise concern about sewage," 30 July 2017
The gold nanocrystals are contained in a biodegradable polymer that allows enough metal to collect in a tumor.

— diane mastrull, Philly.com, "Cancer survivor becomes a cancer fighter at a Philly start-up," 28 July 2017
One part of the plant would turn sorghum into fiber molds Anderson says would make a biodegradable material for producers looking to replace Styrofoam food packaging material.

— zach kyle, idahostatesman, "This $94 million plant would create 75 Treasure Valley jobs. If it’s actually built.," 20 July 2017
The brothers, natives of Ontario, Oregon, make their products by focusing on sustainable materials like wood and other biodegradable materials.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "A 2013 ‘Shark Tank’ appearance is still paying off for Boise’s Proof Eyewear," 19 July 2017
Plan for garbage storage Some fresh, biodegradable foodstuff can be tossed overboard to the fishes.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Sail-gating in the Caribbean: Go gourmet on your sailboat," 12 July 2017
Nuudles are biodegradable, non-toxic, colorful building products.

— myrna petlicki, chicagotribune.com, "Enjoy a night alight with fireflies at Ryerson Woods," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biodegradable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

In biodegradable, with its root grad, "to step or move", and its prefix de- "downward", we get an adjective describing things that can be broken down into basic substances through normal environmental processes. Animal and plant products are normally biodegradable, but mineral substances such as metals, glass, and plastics usually are not. Newly developed biodegradable plastics are now appearing in numerous products. However, "biodegradable" products can vary greatly in how long they take to break down. A loaf of bread may require only a couple of weeks, and a piece of paper may vanish in a couple of months, but some "biodegradable" plastic milk cartons may take four or five years.