decompose
verb
de·com·pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 
decomposed; decomposing; decomposes
1
: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds
decompose water by electrolysis
decompose a word into its base and affixes
2
: rot
Examples of decompose in a Sentence
Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.
the smell of decomposing leaves
The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shortly after the first frosts, potato vines will begin to decompose at a faster rate.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Another legend explains how in the distant past, the nefarious Lake Nyos was formed from the decomposing body of a Kom chief whose people had been tricked and murdered by the Bamessi tribe.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The slurry was freeze-dried and brought up to 950 °C for an hour to decompose.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2025
Pets would defrost and decompose.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
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Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Another legend explains how in the distant past, the nefarious Lake Nyos was formed from the decomposing body of a Kom chief whose people had been tricked and murdered by the Bamessi tribe.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The slurry was freeze-dried and brought up to 950 °C for an hour to decompose.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2025
Pets would defrost and decompose.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decompose. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decompose
verb
de·com·pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
1
: to separate a thing into its parts or into simpler compounds
decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen
2
: to break down through chemical change : rot
Medical Definition
decompose
verb
de·com·pose
ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz
decomposed; decomposing
: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds
decompose water by electrolysis
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