Decay

Quick meaning: Decay is a noun meaning (biology) Rot; any processes or result of organic matter being gradually decomposed, especially by microbial action.

Meaning

(biology) Rot; any processes or result of organic matter being gradually decomposed, especially by microbial action.

More Meanings

1. Deterioration of condition; loss of status, quality, strength, or fortune.
2. (physics) Radioactive decay; decomposition of an atom or its nucleus.
3. (physics) Particle decay; decomposition of a sub-atomic particle.
4. Continuous decrease of a quantity.
5. (programming) Array decay.
6. (intransitive) To deteriorate, to get worse, to lose strength or health, to decline in quality.
7. (obsolete) Overthrow, destruction, ruin, death.

Example Sentences

alpha decay—gamma decay—fission decay—decay chain

tooth decay/dental decay—wood-decay fungi—bacterial decay—photochemical decay

exponential decay—decay rate—orbital decay—decay time—decay constant—time decay

civic and moral decay—systemic decay—fall into decay—urban decay—arrested decay—memory decay

Word Forms

• decays
• decaying
• decayed

Synonyms for decay

Depending on context, synonyms include fester, decline, disintegration, disintegrate, decompose, decomposition.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include crumble, decline, disintegration, disintegrate, decompose, decomposition.

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