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

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

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The disintegration of Willy’s mind reflects its cause, the disintegration of the family for which he has strived and sold himself—and his tattered, tarnished soul—for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 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

Good-government groups like Common Cause say that the dangers of officials relying on misleading statistics are myriad, including a disintegration of public trust as well as ill-informed legislation.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2025

The disintegration was awful to see, but worse was the feel of the powder—its starchy slipperiness as she tried to collect it by handfuls.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• dissolution
• fragmentation