Definition of decay - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
decompositionprocess of rotting or decomposing organic matter
- The decay of the fallen leaves was evident.
2.
tooth damageTECH. deterioration of tooth structure due to bacterial activityTECH.
- The dentist found decay in my back tooth.
3.
gradual declineslow worsening in condition or quality over time
- The building showed signs of decay after many years.
4.
scienceTECH. spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substanceTECH.
- Radioactive decay is a key concept in nuclear physics.
5.
musicTECH. fading away of a musical noteTECH.
- The decay of the note added to the song's emotion.
6.
technologyTECH. gradual decrease of stored charge or currentTECH.
- The capacitor's decay affected the circuit's performance.
Verb
1.
deteriorationdecline in quality or strength
- The old building started to decay over the years.
2.
biological breakdownundergo decomposition
- Leaves decay faster in a moist environment..
3.
scienceTECH. undergo radioactive disintegrationTECH.
- The unstable isotope will decay over time.
4.
energyTECH. lose stored energy or chargeTECH.
- The battery will decay if not used.
Expressions with decay
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loss of good values or right behavior in people or society
Many worry about the moral decay in modern society.
gradually become damaged or ruined
The old house began to fall into decay after years of neglect.
decrease in effectiveness over time
The time decay of the medication required patients to take it more frequently.
damage to teeth from bacteria causing a dental condition
Tooth decay can lead to pain and cavities.
slow damage of teeth caused by bacteria and acids in the mouth
Regular brushing and flossing help prevent dental decay in children and adults.
radioactive decay emitting an alpha particle
Alpha decay occurs in heavy elements like uranium.
decrease where the rate is proportional to the amount
Radioactive substances show exponential decay over time.
radioactive decay emitting gamma rays
Gamma decay occurs when the nucleus of an atom releases energy.
unstable nucleus changes by emitting radiation and forming new nuclei
Radioactive decay changes one element into another.
time needed for a signal or quantity to fall to a chosen value
The decay time of the radioactive isotope is only a few seconds.
nuclear change where an electron or positron is released
Beta decay changes a neutron into a proton and an electron.
series of decaying radioactive isotopes linked by their decay products
The uranium decay chain starts with U-238 and ends with lead-206..
measure of change in delta over time
Traders monitor delta decay to adjust their strategies.
Origin of decay
Old French, decair (to fall away)
Terms with decay included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
decay
decaying of organic material
decaying fruit
too ripe and beginning to decay
food preservation
prepare food to prevent decay
dentistry
hole in a tooth caused by decay
decay
state of disintegration or decay
organic decay
process of decaying or rotting
decayed
fallen into disrepair or decay
biology
process of decay or decomposition
decay
deteriorate due to neglect or lack of use
biology
decay or decompose over time
decay
state of being in decay
biology
undergoing decay or decomposition
food
contamination or decay in food
environment
area devastated by industrial decline or urban decay
causing decay
person or thing causing societal decay
food
likely to decay or spoil quickly
food handling
products that spoil or decay quickly and need careful storage or cooling
decay
wear away or disintegrate over time
material decay
process of corroding metal, stone, or other materials
buildings decay
fall apart slowly until only broken remains are left
decay
falling apart or deteriorating over time
moral decay
having declined to a lower moral or physical level
disrepair
in a state of disrepair or decay
biology
decay of wood caused by fungi
Examples of decay in a sentence
Scientists studied the decay in the forest ecosystem. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. The filling stopped the decay from spreading. There was visible decay in the old books. Moral decay worried the community leaders. The decay rate affects the material's stability.
Scientists measured the decay of the isotope. The decay of the chord lingered in the air. Listeners appreciated the slow decay of the final note. Decay in the battery's charge led to device failure. Engineers monitored the decay to improve efficiency. The wooden fence began to decay after the rainy season. His skills started to decay without regular practice. Fruits decay quickly in warm temperatures. Organic matter will decay over time. Scientists observed the element decay in the lab. The particles will decay at a predictable rate. The capacitor will decay over time. Watch the charge decay in the old device.
View all translations of decay
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:décomposition, se dégrader, ...
- German:Zersetzung, verfallen, ...
- Italian:decomposizione, degradarsi, ...
- Spanish:descomposición, deteriorarse, ...
- Portuguese:decomposição, deteriorar-se, ...
- Chinese:腐烂, 消耗, ...
- Japanese:腐敗, 劣化する, ...
- Arabic:تَحَلُّل, تَدَهْوَرَ, ...
- Hebrew:רִקָּבוֹן, לְהִתְדַּרְדֵּר, ...
- Russian:гниение, разрушаться, ...
- Ukrainian:гниття, руйнуватися, ...
- Hindi:सड़न, क्षय होना, ...
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