verb

decompose

dee-kuhm-POHZ

verb

To break something down into its separate parts or components.

"Chemists decomposed the compound to identify its individual elements."

"The software decomposes the task into smaller, manageable steps."

To rot or decay, especially through natural biological processes.

"Fallen leaves decompose slowly over the winter, enriching the soil."

"The abandoned fruit had started to decompose in the bowl."

How to Use Decompose

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo fall apart into pieces or components — either literally (rotting) or in an analytical sense (breaking a problem into parts).

Common pairings

decompose into parts begin to decompose decomposing matter

decomposed past tense, decomposes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Chemists _____ the compound to identify its individual elements.

Borrowed from Middle French décomposer, built from de- plus compose.

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