decommission

verb

de·​com·​mis·​sion ˌdē-kə-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce decommission (audio)
decommissioned; decommissioning; decommissions

transitive verb

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The power station was decommissioned in late 2024. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 In 1908, the ship joined the Atlantic fleet for the trans-Pacific leg of the Great White Fleet and was decommissioned in 1920, according to a press release. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025 Newport planning and building director Brian Steffen said Hooters contracted C&B Marine in Hebron to decommission the barge, and it is being taken there to be dismantled. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2025 But by the mid-2000s, the lights were decommissioned due to aging infrastructure and high maintenance costs. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decommission

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decommission was in 1922

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decommission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decommission. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

decommission

verb
de·​com·​mis·​sion ˌdē-kə-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce decommission (audio)
: to remove (as a ship) from use or service

More from Merriam-Webster on decommission

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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