Synonyms

decommission

American

[dee-kuh-mish-uhn] / ˌdi kəˈmɪʃ ən /

verb (used with object)

to remove or retire (a ship, airplane, etc.) from active service.
to deactivate; shut down.

to decommission a nuclear power plant.

decommission British

/ ˌdiːkəˈmɪʃən /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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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.

The move would also mean suspending plans to decommission nuclear operations in Belgium.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

JPMorgan energy expert Michael Cembalest estimates that Germany’s decision to decommission its nuclear power plants in the wake of the Fukushima disaster may have raised electricity prices by 25%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 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

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