disintegration

American  

[dis-in-tuh-grey-shuhn] / dɪsˌɪn təˈgreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of disintegrating.

2. Physics. radioactive decay.

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Other Word Forms

• nondisintegration
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

Allen made an entire album about the disintegration of her marriage to David Barbour.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

But there is also logic behind the chip industry’s drift toward disintegration over the past couple of decades, largely into companies that either make or design chips.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Yet the disintegration of that same friendship in recent weeks also has benefits.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Aung San's wartime comrade Ne Win, who had taken the helm of the armed forces after the leader's assassination in murky circumstances, swooped in in a putsch he justified as protection against Myanmar's disintegration.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

Twice it took her through other Rusty ruins, smaller towns further along in their disintegration.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Related Words

• dissolution
• fragmentation