biodegrade

American

[bahy-oh-di-greyd] / ˌbaɪ oʊ dɪˈgreɪd /

verb (used without object)

biodegraded, biodegrading

to decay and become absorbed by the environment.

toys that will biodegrade when they're discarded.

Other Word Forms

biodegradation noun

Etymology

Origin of biodegrade

First recorded in 1970–75; back formation from biodegradable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There were also health and environmental concerns as it does not biodegrade and is a 'forever chemical', while it has also been linked with a number of illnesses and conditions.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

"These discarded butts are toxic and a significant source of plastic pollution, due to their filters, which do not biodegrade."

From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025

Wie’s group is developing versions of these robots that biodegrade after use, eliminating the need for surgical removal, and coatings that make the robots compatible with human tissue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

One of the most common compounds is a polyester known as PLA, short for polylactic acid, which will biodegrade in an industrial compost setting.

From New York Times • May 20, 2024

But many discarded plastics eventually find their way into the sea, and unfortunately PBS does not biodegrade well in that environment.

From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023