decay
verb (used without object)
to become decomposed; rot.
decays
-
present tense formof decay (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
The research team focused on detecting moments when a high-energy neutrino hits a carbon-13 nucleus and converts it into nitrogen-13, a radioactive form of nitrogen that decays roughly ten minutes later.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 12, 2025
It contains radium that decays into radon gas, which is radioactive and can cause cancer.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2025
Keeping the truth from someone might not be outright dishonesty, but it’s a rot that decays the same way, just festering at a slower pace.
From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2025
It gets creaky and decays, eventually becoming tasty sustenance for worms.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2025
“The vacuum decays to a slightly lower state,” says Puthoff.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
