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

/ bī′ō-dĭ-grā′də-bəl /

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.

Notes

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

Derived Forms

• biodegradability, noun
• biodegradation, noun

Other Words From

• bio·de·grada·bili·ty noun
• nonbi·o·de·grada·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of biodegradable¹

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

Example Sentences

She and colleagues recently came up with a way to transform polyethylene into alkylaromatic compounds, which can be used as biodegradable ingredients in shampoos, detergents and other products.

From Science News

While you’re at it, check out Coghlan’s travel biodegradable toilet tissue for your next outhouse free experience.

From Popular-Science

Upon reaching their destination, the drones hover and lower customers’ caffeine fixes onto the ground using a biodegradable linen string.

From Fortune

Replacing plastic straws with biodegradable ones is not going to save the oceans.

From MIT Technology Review

Strawberries are being grown with spray-on, biodegradable weed barriers that could eliminate the need to spread plastic sheeting over every bed.

From MIT Technology Review