French word

décomposition

Pronunciation

IPA/dekɔ̃pozisjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine noundecay

Example

La décomposition des restes alimentaires attire les insectes.

The decay of food scraps attracts insects.

Illustration for décomposition (decay)

More examples

Il faut prévenir la décomposition des aliments en les conservant au frais.

You need to prevent food from decomposing by keeping it refrigerated.

Core concept

A connected mass gradually loses its original form while breaking into simpler substances.

Common phrases

  • prévenir la décomposition

    prevent decomposition

  • retarder la décomposition

    delay decomposition

  • accélérer la décomposition

    accelerate decomposition

Similar words

pourriture: The state of food or similar matter becoming soft and bad-smelling as it rots.
putréfaction: The breakdown of organic matter by microbes, releasing a strong foul smell.
dégradation: The gradual worsening of quality or essential properties.
altération: A deterioration involving changes in color, taste, or other qualities.

Definition in French

Processus de séparation progressive d'une substance en éléments plus simples, par putréfaction, réaction chimique ou activité microbienne.

Word origin

Décomposition is built from French dé- and composition, whose Latin source compositio refers to something put together.

Usage tips

  • French uses se décomposer for material undergoing the change and décomposer for causing a breakdown.

Other meanings

  • decompositionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • décomposerdecomposeverb

Word lists with this word