biodegradable

adjective bio·de·grad·able \ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈgrā-də-bəl \

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Definition of biodegradable

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

biodegradable trash bags

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biodegradability

play \ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˌgrā-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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biodegradable

noun, plural biodegradables

- "… we would never discourage the development of technologies that promote recyclables or biodegradables. [=biodegradable materials]"
- —Ruth Lampi

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biodegradation

play \ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən\ noun

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biodegrade

play \ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈgrād\ verb

See biodegradable defined for English-language learners

See biodegradable defined for kids

Recent Examples of biodegradable from the Web

Recess, a new wellness line, offers another refreshing alternative: biodegradable single-serving wipes with antibacterial eucalyptus.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "6 Athleisure Beauty Products to Stash In Your Gym Bag This Summer," 26 June 2018
It straws, made of natural cellulose paper, are also completely compostable and biodegradable.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "Aardvark paper straws: This Fort Wayne company has your plastic straw alternative," 24 June 2018
Another plus is how the equipment is flushed with biodegradable materials rather than something polluting like diesel fuel.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "'Pothole Killer' repair technology may be the answer to bad roads," 13 Apr. 2018
They will be replaced with paper straws and biodegradable bags.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Companies, municipalities crack down on plastics," 15 June 2018
When you’re done, just toss the biodegradable materials into the firepit and leave no trash behind.

— olivia hall, The Seattle Times, "Gear to turn your day hike into an overnighter," 8 June 2018
The non-profit Lonely Whale’s For A Strawless Ocean campaign chose Aardvark Straws as a preferred partner for its durable and biodegradable paper straws that decompose in just 45-90 days.

— david carrig, USA TODAY, "Plastic straws are polluting our oceans. Here are some alternatives," 23 May 2018
According to Damron, the balloons used in the event are made from 100 percent, organic rubber, and are even hand tied to ensure that everything released is fully biodegradable.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "The Indy 500 is actually super trashy," 21 May 2018
Unlike physical and synthetic chemical sunscreens, these naturally available compounds are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.

— yousong ding, Washington Post, "Hawaii is set to ban sunscreens that damage coral. Greener, safer options are on the horizon.," 9 May 2018

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.