decompose
Americanverb (used with object)
-
decomposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
decomposed,
past participle, past
-
decomposing
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
decomposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
decomposed,
past participle, past
-
decomposing
present participle
verb
-
to break down (organic matter) or (of organic matter) to be broken down physically and chemically by bacterial or fungal action; rot
-
chem to break down or cause to break down into simpler chemical compounds
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to break up or separate into constituent parts
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(tr) maths to express in terms of a number of independent simpler components, as a set as a canonical union of disjoint subsets, or a vector into orthogonal components
Synonym Usage
See decay.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
decomposesimple
-
decomposessimple
-
have decomposedperfect
-
has decomposedperfect
-
am decomposingprogressive
-
are decomposingprogressive
-
is decomposingprogressive
-
have been decomposingperfect progressive
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has been decomposingperfect progressive
Past
-
decomposedsimple
-
had decomposedperfect
-
was decomposingprogressive
-
were decomposingprogressive
-
had been decomposingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of decompose
1745–55; < French décomposer, equivalent to dé- dis- 1 + composer to compose
Explanation
The verb decompose means to break down or decay, like tree leaves that decompose into dirt, or cell phone batteries that decompose, resulting in more frequent charging for the user. You know that the prefix de- means "remove" or "undo." And something that's composed is made up of parts. So to decompose is to undo all the parts until they go back to their original state: dirt. Living things decompose. When things like buildings or organizations break down, you typically use words like dismantle or deconstruct to describe the process.
Vocabulary lists containing decompose
"The Ravine," Vocabulary from the short story
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Can You Dig It? Words for Dirt and Soil
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"Living in the Dark," Vocabulary from the science article
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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.
See Examples For:
We can also decompose bond yields into the expected inflation rate plus the real yield above inflation, measured by TIPS, or Treasury inflation-protected securities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
"Many of the bodies were starting to badly decompose, and there was an unbearable stench in the whole area," said Rudra Adhikary, a member of the district Red Cross committee.
From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026
The rod-leading method caused some WC to decompose near the upper portion of the manufactured structure, creating defects in the final material.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026
In November 2019, soil engineer Tim Neiligan, a former FBI chemist, began researching how bodies decompose in soil.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2026
In other words, there are parts of the whole dining-out experience that we can decompose and outsource.
From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman
Talking about songwriting devices, here’s a trademark Akriila move: A song may be moving forward, and suddenly there’s a fracture — everything breaks and decomposes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
The whale has gained in size in recent days because of a build-up of gas as the carcass decomposes, and some islanders are worried it may explode.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
Fires that start below the surface often begin spontaneously, as organic matter decomposes and creates heat, fueled by oxygen that sneaks in through the cracks.
From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026
But by the time Agatha Harkness’ body instantaneously rots and decomposes into a bed of flowers in shades of her signature purple, her death inspires something closer to sadness rather than cheer.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2024
“It’s just a case of remembering that oxalic acid on heating decomposes into carbon dioxide, water, and good old carbon monoxide. College chem, you know.”
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
The fires are difficult to extinguish because many occurred on peatlands, a wetland ecosystem with layers of partially decomposed organic materials that become flammable when dry.
From Barron's ● Sep. 5, 2026
Unlike in 1986, when many of the artifacts, especially the elephant tusks, decomposed after being exposed to the open air, Ran improvised a new system for the dig.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
What remains that haven’t been scavenged have decomposed to the point where DNA analysis is difficult and all but useless in Gaza, where there are no functioning laboratories able to test and compare samples.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
The county's medical examiner said the body was "severely decomposed" and deferred on making a ruling on how she died pending the death investigation.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
The remains were so badly decomposed that it was impossible to determine exactly when McCandless had died, but the coroner could find no sign of massive internal injuries or broken bones.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
The soggy ground, along with acidification, prevents the underground matter from decomposing completely as it is slowly pickled into peat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The remains may also begin defrosting and decomposing once they reach lower altitudes.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
The San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department also warned that decomposing fish could create health risks for people attempting to fish or boat in the area.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 18, 2026
The decomposing waste generates methane, which scientists say is responsible for at least a quarter of global warming.
From Barron's ● May 13, 2026
This one’s stainless steel facade has been peeled back, exposing its innards as if it were decomposing from the inside out.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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.
