degradable

[ dih-grey-duh-buhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

susceptible to chemical breakdown.

degradable

/ dɪˈɡreɪdəbəl /

adjective

See biodegradable
(of waste products, packaging materials, etc) capable of being decomposed chemically or biologically See also biodegradable
capable of being degraded

degradable

/ dĭ-grā′də-bəl /

Relating to a compound that breaks down into simpler compounds by stages. During the degradation of a degradable compound, well-defined intermediate products are created.

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Derived Forms

deˌgradaˈbility, noun

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Other Words From

de·grada·bili·ty noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of degradable¹

First recorded in 1960–65; degrade + -able

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Example Sentences

By putting Eagan’s product through one more reaction, Tonks made the polymer fully degradable back to reusable CO2 — a circular carbon economy goal.

From Science News

They inserted the enzymes along with another ingredient, a degradable additive Xu previously developed, which ensured the enzymes didn’t clump together and didn’t fall apart.

From Science News

As of last year, even the plastic cap on many containers is made out of a degradable product derived from sugar cane.

From The Daily Beast

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April 18, 2024petrichor

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degorger degradation

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