English dictionary
decay
nounPronunciation
dɪˈkeɪ
Audio pronunciation
Parts of speech
Definitions
noun
- the organic phenomenon of rotting
noun
- a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current
noun
- the process of gradually becoming inferior
noun
- the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
noun
- an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying
verb
- fall into decay or ruin
verb
- lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
verb
- undergo decay or decomposition
Example sentences
the corpse was in an advanced state of decay
the house had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepair
The unoccupied house started to decay
the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process
The body started to decay and needed to be cremated