Examples of “decay” in a Sentence

verb To rot or gradually break down, especially of organic matter.

• The fallen leaves slowly decayed into the soil.
• Without treatment, the tooth will continue to decay.
• Bananas left in a hot car will decay surprisingly quickly.

verb To decline gradually in quality, strength, or condition.

• The old empire's power decayed over several centuries.
• Without regular care, the neighborhood began to decay and shops closed one by one.
• His memory started to decay as he grew very old.

noun The process or result of rotting or gradual deterioration.

• The building showed signs of decay after years of neglect.
• Tooth decay is largely preventable with good brushing habits.
• The smell of decay filled the damp cellar.

noun In physics, the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus or particle breaks down over time.

• Scientists measured the radioactive decay of the isotope.
• The decay of the unstable particle released a small burst of energy.
• Each nucleus has a chance of decay within a given time.