dry-rot

verb

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\ ˈdrī-ˌrät

dry-rotted; dry-rotting; dry-rots

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 Inspect your roof for problems that lead to leaks and possible dry rot and structural damage from water. — oregonlive, 15 May 2022 The balcony collapsed due to dry rot in supporting beams, and inspectors found that the contractor used substandard wood. — Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Jan. 2022 True, my daydreams don’t include finding dry rot, black mold, ruptured pipes, or snake dens. — Marni Jameson, orlandosentinel.com, 24 Dec. 2021 The inspection must also include the waterproofing protecting the structural components from moisture damage (i.e., dry rot). — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2021 The front porch was rebuilt, lead paint removed and dry rot eliminated. — oregonlive, 24 Sep. 2021 The novel, narrated beautifully by actor and singer Elizabeth Knowelden, is a potent concoction of treachery and obsession; village life and romance; dry rot and load-bearing walls. — Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2021 The challenge for leaders is to learn how to combat mental health issues that can become chronic or contagious at work, ultimately threatening the strength of a company in the same way that dry rot threatens the stability of a house. — Curt Steinhorst, Forbes, 27 May 2021 Mold, mildew, or dry rot damage are commonly excluded. — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2021 See More

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.