decomposer

American  

[dee-kuhm-poh-zer] / ˌdi kəmˈpoʊ zər /

noun

1. a person or thing that decomposes.

2. Ecology. an organism, usually a bacterium or fungus, that breaks down the cells of dead plants and animals into simpler substances.

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decomposer British  

/ ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊzə /

noun

1. ecology any organism in a community, such as a bacterium or fungus, that breaks down dead tissue enabling the constituents to be recycled to the environment See also consumer producer

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decomposer Scientific  

/ dē′kəm-pō′zər /

1. See detritivore

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Etymology

Origin of decomposer

First recorded in 1815–25; decompose + -er ¹

Compare meaning

How does decomposer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• detritivore vs. decomposer

Example Sentences

Mealworms are Nature's scavengers and decomposers, able to survive up to eight months without food or water, and happy to eat their own kind when food is scarce.

From Science Daily

But they and other invertebrates are the spineless backbones of ecosystems, playing critical roles as pollinators, predators, prey and decomposers.

From New York Times

The study also shows that these "universal decomposers" are largely unique to decomposition environments and are not commonly found in other soil or host-associated microbial communities.

From Science Daily

They’re not the only fungus that changes from harmless decomposer to predator.

From National Geographic

Payment comes either in the form of carbon from the host while it is living, or when their friendly host dies, and the patient decomposer gets to work.

From Science Daily