decommission
Americanverb (used with object)
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to remove or retire (a ship, airplane, etc.) from active service.
-
to deactivate; shut down.
to decommission a nuclear power plant.
verb
Etymology
Origin of decommission
First recorded in 1925–30; de- + commission
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.
Germany’s decision in the wake of the Fukushima disaster to decommission its nuclear-energy program may have raised electricity prices by 25%.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
Cembalest highlights research undertaken by JPMorgan that scrutinized the costs incurred to the German economy stemming from its decision to decommission its nuclear power plants after the Fukushima incident.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026
Other sources of power in L.A.’s portfolio include hydrogen, natural gas, biomass, geothermal, nuclear and coal, which the city aims to decommission by the end of this year.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025
When an oil well comes to the end of its life, its operator has a responsibility to permanently decommission it.
From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025
In the middle of his row with Trump, he threatened to decommission the Dragon - but it wasn't long before he was rowing back.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
