decommission

American  

[dee-kuh-mish-uhn] / ˌdi kəˈmɪʃ ən /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove or retire (a ship, airplane, etc.) from active service.

2. to deactivate; shut down.

   to decommission a nuclear power plant.

---

decommission British  

/ ˌdiːkəˈmɪʃən /

verb

1. (tr) to dismantle or remove from service (a nuclear reactor, weapon, ship, etc which is no longer required)

---

Etymology

Origin of decommission

First recorded in 1925–30; de- + commission

Example Sentences

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

One example: his threat to decommission a spacecraft that transports National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronauts to the International Space Station.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

There, the conservation law swiftly came into conflict with a massive project to decommission thousands of septic tanks and replace them with a sewer system.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2025

However, it says the future of supported housing is now at risk following "years of funding cuts" and that local authorities have now been forced to "decommission vital services".

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2025