biodegradable

American  

[bahy-oh-di-grey-duh-buhl] / ˌbaɪ oʊ dɪˈgreɪ də bəl /

adjective

1. capable of decaying through the action of living organisms.

   biodegradable paper; biodegradable detergent.

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biodegradable British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən, ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbəl, ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡreɪdɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (of sewage constituents, packaging material, etc) capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other biological means

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biodegradable Scientific  

/ bī′ō-dĭ-grā′də-bəl /

1. Capable of being decomposed by the action of biological agents, especially bacteria.

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biodegradable Cultural  

1. Material that, left to itself, will be decomposed by natural processes.

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Discover More

The use of biodegradable packaging is supposed to reduce the volume of waste in landfills.

Other Word Forms

• biodegradability noun
• biodegradation noun
• nonbiodegradable adjective

Etymology

Origin of biodegradable

First recorded in 1960–65; bio- + degrade + -able

Example Sentences

Petrobras assured that the leaked fluid met "permitted toxicity limits," was biodegradable and posed no danger to the environment or public health.

From Barron's

Those packages, which aren’t biodegradable, also add to the plastic in our waste streams.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jolly is now looking at what impact the biodegradable wipes have on aquatic life as they fall apart.

From BBC

While the law banning biodegradable municipal waste from going to landfill will still come into effect from the end of the year, the regulator will not implement the ban as long as conditions are met.

From BBC

Eilish also uses biodegradable confetti at her concerts, encourages fans to bring in their own water bottles and makes merchandise from recycled cotton.

From The Wall Street Journal