noun
decomposition
dee-kom-puh-ZIH-shuhn
noun
1
The natural biological breakdown of organic matter, such as into compost.
"Decomposition of the leaf litter took several months."
2
The act of breaking something down into its parts for closer study.
"The report begins with a decomposition of the company's revenue streams."
3
The splitting of something (a matrix, molecule, or number) into its basic constituent parts, especially in mathematics or science.
"Engineers used matrix decomposition to simplify the calculation."
How to Use Decomposition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe breaking-down of something — organic rot, or, more abstractly, splitting a thing into its parts for analysis.
Common pairings
stage of decomposition
decomposition of a matrix
rate of decomposition
Word Forms
decompositions plural
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_____ of the leaf litter took several months.
Etymology
From de- + composition, mirroring French décomposition.