decompose
Other forms: decomposed; decomposing; decomposes
The verb decompose means to break down or decay, like tree leaves that decompose into dirt, or cell phone batteries that decompose, resulting in more frequent charging for the user.
You know that the prefix de- means "remove" or "undo." And something that's composed is made up of parts. So to decompose is to undo all the parts until they go back to their original state: dirt. Living things decompose. When things like buildings or organizations break down, you typically use words like dismantle or deconstruct to describe the process.
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break down
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separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts
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synonyms:
break down, break up, degrade
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types:
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digest
soften or disintegrate by means of chemical action, heat, or moisture
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dissociate
to undergo a reversible or temporary breakdown of a molecule into simpler molecules or atoms
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crack
reduce (petroleum) to a simpler compound by cracking
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type of:
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separate
divide into components or constituents
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digest
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lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
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synonyms:
decay, disintegrate
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disintegrate
cause to undergo fission or lose particles
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type of:
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change integrity
change in physical make-up
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disintegrate
/ˈdikəmˌpoʊz/
/dikəmˈpəʊz/
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Vocabulary lists containing decompose
In this first book of the Highly Scientific Notebooks of Phineas L. MacGuire series, the fourth-grade scientist who's usually called Mac partners with a classmate on a volcano project.
Seventh graders Julia and Patrick try to win a prize at the state fair by raising silkworms.
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