decomposition

American  

[dee-kom-puh-zish-uhn] / ˌdi kɒm pəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

• decompositions
  plural

1. the act or process of decomposing.

2. the state of being decomposed; decay.

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decomposition Scientific  

/ dē-kŏm′pə-zĭsh′ən /

1. The separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements. Decomposition can be brought about by exposure to heat, light, or chemical or biological activity.

2. The process of breaking down organic material, such as dead plant or animal tissue, into smaller molecules that are available for use by the organisms of an ecosystem. Decomposition is carried on by bacteria, fungi, protists, worms, and certain other organisms.

3. See more at detritivore

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• decompositions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of decomposition

1650–60; probably < French décomposition, derivative of décomposer to decompose; see composition

Explanation

Decomposition is the process of decaying or rotting. If you've ever left a carved pumpkin on the porch into late November, you have seen and smelled decomposition. A "composition" is a paper or group of items that's put together, while a decomposition is a breaking down or coming apart. You can use the noun decomposition for rotting plants and animals. Some people keep a compost pile for trash decomposition, which produces fertilizer. Studying decomposition lets you see the different stages of rotting, and science teachers often let students leave out a piece of fruit on purpose, just to watch its decomposition and the growth of maggots.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decomposition decompositions

That decomposition rate served as a simple indicator of how much biological activity was taking place underground.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026

In forests, peat is an accumulation of spongy, highly flammable, carbon-rich material formed over time through the decomposition of plant matter.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

The process was efficient enough to prevent microplastics from forming during decomposition.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

Authorities have been at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores in San Luis Obispo County this week, scanning the ground for any signs of human decomposition.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

Mr. Mams had asked her to perform a chemical experiment that had to do with the decomposition of organic materials.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Their approach involves clever decompositions of the cube circumscribing the bicylinder. 

From Scientific American ● Jan. 6, 2018

We obtain the same values for and using either method, so the decompositions are the same using either method.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 13, 2015

Although this method is not seen very often in textbooks, we present it here as an alternative that may make some partial fraction decompositions easier.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 13, 2015

So it's not a moment; it's a process that actually begins when the heart stops and culminates in the complete loss of the body, the decompositions of all the cells.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sir Humphry Davy's celebrated Bakerian Lecture on some chemical agencies of electricity was read in November 1806, and is almost entirely occupied in the consideration of electro-chemical decompositions.

From Experimental Researches in Electricity, Volume 1 by Michael Faraday

Related Words

• decay
• disintegration