Definition of decomposition Decomposition

/diˌkʌmpowzɪˈʃʌn/ - [deekumpowzishun] - de•com•po•si•tion

We found 15 definitions of decomposition from 6 different sources.

What does decomposition mean?

Noun Plural: decompositions
decomposition - (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
		rot, rotting, putrefaction
		decay the organic phenomenon of rotting
		biological science, biology the science that studies living organisms
decomposition - (chemistry) separation of a substance into two or more substances that may differ from each other and from the original substance
		decomposition reaction, chemical decomposition reaction
		chemical reaction, reaction (chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others; "there was a chemical reaction of the lime with the ground water"
		chemical science, chemistry the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions
decomposition - in a decomposed state
		disintegration
		decay the organic phenomenon of rotting
decomposition - the analysis of a vector field
		vector decomposition
decomposition - the organic phenomenon of rotting
		decay
		organic phenomenon (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals

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decomposition (Noun)
A biological process through which organic material is reduced to e. g. compost.
decomposition (Noun)
The act of taking something apart, e. g. for analysis.
decomposition (Noun)
The splitting of e. g. a matrix, an atom or a compound into constituent parts.

decomposition (n.)
The act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a compound body or substance into its elementary parts; separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as, the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.
decomposition (n.)
The state of being reduced into original elements.
decomposition (n.)
Repeated composition; a combination of compounds.

decomposition
The reduction of the body of a formerly living organism into simpler forms of matter.
decomposition
The process by which a complex problem or system is broken down into parts that are easier to conceive, understand, program, and maintain.

decomposition
The reduction of a compound substance into its constituents, as in chemical analysis. The constituents may themselves be compounds or proximate constituents, or may be elemental or ultimate constituents.