Translate decay | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of decay
verb
[no object] (of organic matter) rot or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi: (as adjective decayed)a decayed cabbage leaf (as adjective decaying)the odor of decaying fish [with object] cause to rot or decompose:the fungus will decay soft timber (of a building or area) fall into disrepair; deteriorate:urban neighborhoods decay when elevated freeways replace surface roads decline in quality, power, or vigor:the moral authority of the party was decaying Physics (of a radioactive substance, particle, etc.) undergo change to a different form by emitting radiation:the trapped radiocarbon begins to decay at a known rate technical (of a physical quantity) undergo a gradual decrease:the time taken for the current to decay to zero
noun
the state or process of rotting or decomposition:hardwood is more resistant to decay than softwood tooth decay structural or physical deterioration:the old barn rapidly fell into decay rotten matter or tissue:fluoride heals small spots of decay the process of declining in quality, power, or vigor:preachers warning of moral decay Physics the change of a radioactive substance, particle, etc., into another by the emission of radiation:the gas radon is produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil technical gradual decrease in the magnitude of a physical quantity:the decay of electrical fields in the electromagnets
