disintegration
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Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of disintegration
First recorded in 1790–1800; disintegrate + -ion
Explanation
Disintegration is when one thing splits into parts or just ceases to exist. When something is destroyed, broken up into pieces, or falls apart on its own, that’s disintegration. If you know that integration brings things or people together, you won't be surprised that disintegration means things are coming apart. Disintegration is what happens when a company breaks into smaller companies or when a band splits up. Often, disintegration is physical — a bomb could cause the disintegration of its target. The decomposition (rotting) of a body is an example of disintegration. When something radioactive decays, that's disintegration, too. Disintegration is when it all falls apart.
Vocabulary lists containing disintegration
East of Eden
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"Deep Survival," Vocabulary from the science writing
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Tracking Trash
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There are more deaths in store in Ms. Zigman’s alluring tale of psychological disintegration.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
Allen made an entire album about the disintegration of her marriage to David Barbour.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
"The risk is a disintegration, even a collapse, of the reputation and historical role of the American Church," he said.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
Jaglom’s 1985 film, “Always,” in which he co-starred with his ex-wife Patrice Townsend, was inspired by the disintegration of the couple’s own relationship.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2025
During a May conference at Caltech honoring the visiting Niels Bohr, he alluded to the lightweight neutron while describing the disintegration of eight heavy targets, up to aluminum, by deuton bombardment.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
