Definition of disintegrate
transitive verb
1 : to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles water disintegrates the limestone
2 : to destroy the unity or integrity (see integrity 3) of The lies disintegrated their marriage.
intransitive verb
1 : to break or separate into constituent elements or parts The iron hinges were disintegrateing into dust.
2 : to lose unity or integrity by or as if by breaking into parts The relationship started to disintegrate.
3 : to undergo a change in composition (see composition 2) an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
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Examples of disintegrate in a sentence
The paper will disintegrate if it gets wet.
The laser can disintegrate most kinds of rock.
Recent Examples of disintegrate from the web
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Herrmann said concrete will undergo severe cracking at about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit and start disintegrating at higher temperatures.
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After all, the alternative would have been to see the fountain gradually disintegrate—
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Larsen A, and Larsen B – have already largely disintegrated.
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Add lentils, celery and carrot, then pour in stock; simmer 30 to 45 minutes, until lentils have largely disintegrated.
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The thallium would disintegrate by the time an autopsy could be performed, leaving no physical evidence of poisoning.
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Pictures from the scene broadcast on local television channels showed a fire raging on a hillside, with the plane, a twin-engine ATR-42, apparently disintegrated.
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Our waste water plants, our rail, our airports, in many places are disintegrating.
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When the Soviet Union disintegrated, the last thing that Russians wanted to hear about was a new set of obligations that were ostensibly to serve the common good.
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1796
First Known Use of disintegrate
1796
DISINTEGRATE Defined for English Language Learners
disintegrate
playDefinition of disintegrate for English Language Learners
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: to break apart into many small parts or pieces
DISINTEGRATE Defined for Kids
disintegrate
playDefinition of disintegrate for Students
disintegrated
;disintegrating
: to separate or break up into small parts or pieces
Medical Dictionary
disintegrate
playMedical Definition of disintegrate
disintegrated
;disintegrating
transitive verb
: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles1
intransitive verb
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts2: to undergo a change in composition an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
Learn More about disintegrate
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See words that rhyme with disintegrate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disintegrate Spanish Central: Translation of disintegrate Nglish: Translation of disintegrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of disintegrate for Arabic speakers
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