decommission

verb

de·​com·​mis·​sion ˌdē-kə-ˈmi-shən 

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

An investigation found fault with the vehicle’s commander, who failed to order an evacuation, but also blamed higher-ups who sent it onto the water even after it was determined the aging vessel should be decommissioned. — Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Nov. 2026

In 1948, the ship was decommissioned at San Jacinto State Park and dedicated as a museum. — Jill Karnicki, Houston Chronicle, 10 Nov. 2026

The Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse and had initially planned to put it for sale in 1948. — CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

In return, Musk threatened to decommission the Dragon spacecraft. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decommission

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

decommission

verb

de·​com·​mis·​sion ˌdē-kə-ˈmish-ən 

: to remove (as a ship) from use or service