decommission

verb

de·​com·​mis·​sion ˌdē-kə-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce decommission (audio)
decommissioned; decommissioning; decommissions

transitive verb

: to remove (something, such as a ship or a nuclear power plant) from service

Examples of decommission in a Sentence

Several military bases are scheduled to be decommissioned. The government is decommissioning the nuclear power plant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since then, the long process of decommissioning the plant has been underway. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025 The utilities in the building are currently being decommissioned. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2025 McFall does not yet have a mission assignment or timeline for when a potential launch might take place, but hopes to make it on the manifest before the ISS is decommissioned sometime after 2030. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2025 The foul poles, which currently stand 21 feet, previously were used by T-Mobile but were later decommissioned. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decommission

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decommission was in 1922

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decommission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decommission. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

decommission

verb
de·​com·​mis·​sion ˌdē-kə-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce decommission (audio)
: to remove (as a ship) from use or service

More from Merriam-Webster on decommission

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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