biodegradable

[bahy-oh-di-grey-duh-buhl]

adjective

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

   biodegradable paper; biodegradable detergent.

biodegradable

/ ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən, ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbəl, ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡreɪdɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

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

biodegradable

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

biodegradable

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

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

Other Word Forms

• biodegradability noun
• nonbiodegradable adjective
• biodegradation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of biodegradable¹

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

Example Sentences

The firm said that it will work with an external agency to assess the project's impact, adding that it had used entirely biodegradable materials.

From BBC

Innovations in plastic's sustainability also can't be ignored, from the development of ones that can be infinitely recycled, to those that are biodegradable.

From BBC

“Neither have the leaves, brush and yard clippings we bring in. The only thing that’s changed? Plastics and biodegradable plastics.”

From Los Angeles Times

The puppets are made from upscaled and recyclable materials – primarily cardboard and plywood – with a focus on biodegradable and organic materials.

From BBC

He claimed to have developed a "special biodegradable polymer" that would make the tea plants grow in half the usual time.

From BBC