de·com·po·si·tion

[dee-kom-puh-zish-uhn]
noun
1.
the act or process of decomposing.
2.
the state of being decomposed; decay.
Origin:
1650–60; probably < French décomposition, derivative of décomposer to decompose; see composition

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
decompose (ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb
1.  to break down (organic matter) or (of organic matter) to be broken down physically and chemically by bacterial or fungal action; rot
2.  chem to break down or cause to break down into simpler chemical compounds
3.  to break up or separate into constituent parts
4.  (tr) maths to express in terms of a number of independent simpler components, as a set as a canonical union of disjoint subsets, or a vector into orthogonal components
 
decom'posable
 
—adj
 
decomposa'bility
 
—n
 
decomposition
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Decomposition is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

decomposition
1762, noun of action from decompose.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

decomposition de·com·po·si·tion (dē-kŏm'pə-zĭsh'ən)
n.

  1. The act or result of decomposing; disintegration.

  2. Separation into constituents by chemical reaction.

  3. The breakdown or decay of organic materials; lysis.

de·com'po·si'tion·al adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
decomposition   (dē-kŏm'pə-zĭsh'ən)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. 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.

  2. 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. See more at detritivore.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
The rock is always rolling downhill, as chemical decomposition claims more
  footage each day.
Decomposition breaks down dangerous pathogens and reduces the stench.
Rotting, or fermentation, means bacterial action on food resulting in
  decomposition.
Empty fly pupa were found with the kids' remains, indicating that maggots ate
  their flesh during natural decomposition.
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