disintegration

[dis-in-tuh-grey-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR disintegration ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of disintegrating.

Physics. decay(def 8).

Nearby words

Origin of disintegration

First recorded in 1790–1800; disintegrate + -ion

Related formsnon·dis·in·te·gra·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for disintegration

“That would be a big step forward in the disintegration of the European Union,” Soros said.
George Soros Predicts Ukraine Could Ruin The EU|Nico Hines|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Absent a cohesive political strategy, the likely outcome is disintegration—and chaos.
Why Egypt Is Too Big to Fail|Rep. Jane Harman|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This formula—"you're sovereign, so you're responsible"—is a recipe for disintegration.
Can The Peace Camp Cope With 'Fragility'?|Bernard Avishai|May 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Last month I warned that the disintegration of the European Union was more likely than the death of the euro.
Niall Ferguson: Great Britain Saves Itself by Rejecting the EU|Niall Ferguson|December 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The energy of disintegration is used to drive the generators of the artificial gravity field, and there you are.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930|Various
The rout and disintegration of Gillem's command was complete.
History of Morgan's Cavalry|Basil W. Duke
Time for their disintegration is necessary before they can be brought under cultivation, and this is a matter of years.
The San Francisco Calamity|Various
Rosmersholm and the Rosmer ideals had begun their work of denudation and disintegration.
Iconoclasts|James Huneker
Still the process of disintegration and reintegration proceeded.
The Evolution of States|J. M. Robertson

Word Origin and History for disintegration

disintegration

1796, noun of action from disintegrate.

Medicine definitions for disintegration

disintegration

[dĭs-ĭn′tĭ-grā′shən]

n.

The breaking up of the component parts of a substance, as in catabolism or decay.

The disorganization or disruption of mental processes in mental illness.

The natural or induced transformation of an atomic nucleus from a more massive to a less massive configuration by the emission of particles or radiation.

Related formsdis•in′te•grate′ v.