decomposition
American-
The separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements. Decomposition can be brought about by exposure to heat, light, or chemical or biological activity.
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The process of breaking down organic material, such as dead plant or animal tissue, into smaller molecules that are available for use by the organisms of an ecosystem. Decomposition is carried on by bacteria, fungi, protists, worms, and certain other organisms.
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See more at detritivore
Etymology
Origin of decomposition
1650–60; probably < French décomposition, derivative of décomposer to decompose; see composition
Explanation
Decomposition is the process of decaying or rotting. If you've ever left a carved pumpkin on the porch into late November, you have seen and smelled decomposition. A "composition" is a paper or group of items that's put together, while a decomposition is a breaking down or coming apart. You can use the noun decomposition for rotting plants and animals. Some people keep a compost pile for trash decomposition, which produces fertilizer. Studying decomposition lets you see the different stages of rotting, and science teachers often let students leave out a piece of fruit on purpose, just to watch its decomposition and the growth of maggots.
Vocabulary lists containing decomposition
Earth Science - Middle School
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The Carbon Cycle
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Earth Science - High School
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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.
Xu pointed to Cboe’s VIX Decomposition tool as a way for traders to further break down the variables that go into calculating the VIX.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026
The Biomimicry Institute's project - dubbed Design for Decomposition - will choose tech partners later this year, and report back in 2024.
From BBC • Oct. 8, 2023
She started thinking about composting as a kind of soil-based cremation and, in 2013, finished her Master’s thesis: “Of Dirt and Decomposition: Proposing a Place for the Urban Dead.”
From Seattle Times • Jan. 22, 2021
Decomposition also releases matter in the form of nutrients that can be used by primary producers.
From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018
It was one of those Decomposition notebooks, and she got it from her language arts teacher at school.
From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake
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.
