dry-rot

verb

Definition of dry-rot

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to affect with dry rot

intransitive verb

: to become affected with dry rot

dry rot

noun

Definition of dry rot (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a decay of seasoned timber caused by fungi that consume the cellulose of wood leaving a soft skeleton which is readily reduced to powder

b : a fungal rot of plant tissue in which the affected areas are dry and often firmer than normal or more or less mummified

2 : a fungus causing dry rot

3 : decay from within caused especially by resistance to new forces

Examples of dry-rot in a Sentence

Noun

The windowsill was badly damaged by dry rot. Dry rot had eaten away part of the beam.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Soft spots may indicate wet or dry rot, especially if the floor above sags. — Jim Gorman, Popular Mechanics, "The DIY Home Inspection Checklist," 30 Mar. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dry-rot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.