decommission
verb
de·com·mis·sion
ˌdē-kə-ˈmi-shən 
decommissioned; decommissioning; decommissions
: to remove (something, such as a ship or a nuclear power plant) from service
Examples of decommission in a Sentence
Several military bases are scheduled to be decommissioned.
The government is decommissioning the nuclear power plant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Originally part of Fort Sheridan — the then-headquarters United States 5th Army until the base was decommissioned in 1993 — the preserve was closed in April, 2021 when three military explosive devices were found.
—
Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2023
The move is a critical step in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which the Japanese government has been struggling to clean up since 2011, when a magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami that caused the catastrophic meltdown of three of the plant’s nuclear reactors.
—Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2023
When money is left over in decommissioning trust funds after a cleanup is completed, the company responsible for the project is sometimes able to keep it.
—Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
Japanese authorities have described it as a necessary step in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant some 12 years after a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami led to a meltdown of three nuclear reactors.
—Amudalat Ajasa, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023
Specifically, the plan centers on decommissioning coal plants, providing alternative employment for those working in coal mining, and accelerating the development of renewable energy and the green economy.
—Bianca Nogrady, WIRED, 15 Aug. 2023
Sing Sing filmed in Downstate Correctional Facility, a prison in the Hudson Valley that was decommissioned only a few months before production.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
Congress continues to push back on efforts by the Navy to decommission some ships early, as well ships that are near or have reached their retirement age.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2023
Officials say the tanks need to be emptied to build the facilities needed to continue decommissioning the plant, per Mari Yamaguchi of the Associated Press (AP).
—Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2023
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Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2023
The move is a critical step in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which the Japanese government has been struggling to clean up since 2011, when a magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami that caused the catastrophic meltdown of three of the plant’s nuclear reactors.
—Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2023
When money is left over in decommissioning trust funds after a cleanup is completed, the company responsible for the project is sometimes able to keep it.
—Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
Japanese authorities have described it as a necessary step in decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant some 12 years after a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami led to a meltdown of three nuclear reactors.
—Amudalat Ajasa, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023
Specifically, the plan centers on decommissioning coal plants, providing alternative employment for those working in coal mining, and accelerating the development of renewable energy and the green economy.
—Bianca Nogrady, WIRED, 15 Aug. 2023
Sing Sing filmed in Downstate Correctional Facility, a prison in the Hudson Valley that was decommissioned only a few months before production.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
Congress continues to push back on efforts by the Navy to decommission some ships early, as well ships that are near or have reached their retirement age.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2023
Officials say the tanks need to be emptied to build the facilities needed to continue decommissioning the plant, per Mari Yamaguchi of the Associated Press (AP).
—Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decommission.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1922, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near decommission
Cite this Entry
“Decommission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decommission. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
decommission
verb
de·com·mis·sion
ˌdē-kə-ˈmish-ən
: to remove (as a ship) from use or service
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