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.

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decommission British  

/ ˌdiːkəˈmɪʃən /

verb

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

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Etymology

Origin of decommission

First recorded in 1925–30; de- + commission

Example Sentences

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

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

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

Responding to an X user's suggestion he that he "cool down" he wrote, "Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon."

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025