decompose
verb
de·com·pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 
decomposed; decomposing; decomposes
1
: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds
decompose water by electrolysis
decompose a word into its base and affixes
2
: rot
Synonyms
Examples of decompose in a Sentence
Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
the smell of decomposing leaves
The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
Recent Examples on the Web
Loading your audio article A 54-year-old woman was found dead and decomposing in her Brooklyn apartment — alongside a corpse believed to be her nephew — after being stabbed multiple times, police sources said Thursday.
—
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 July 2024
The smoke point is the temperature at which a cooking fat begins to smoke, oxidize, and begin to decompose.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2024
The fourth man’s decomposing body wasn’t found until several days later inside a car in Fontana, according to the district attorney’s office.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024
Overall, ancient fruits can be difficult for scientists to study because their soft flesh decomposes quickly.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for decompose 
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 July 2024
The smoke point is the temperature at which a cooking fat begins to smoke, oxidize, and begin to decompose.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2024
The fourth man’s decomposing body wasn’t found until several days later inside a car in Fontana, according to the district attorney’s office.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024
Overall, ancient fruits can be difficult for scientists to study because their soft flesh decomposes quickly.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for decompose
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decompose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near decompose
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decompose. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decompose
verb
de·com·pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
1
: to separate a thing into its parts or into simpler compounds
decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen
2
: to break down through chemical change : rot
Medical Definition
decompose
verb
de·com·pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
decomposed; decomposing
: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds
decompose water by electrolysis
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