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1. Dictionary

   De·cay

   /dəˈkā/

   

   verb

   • 1. (of organic matter) rot or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi: "the body had begun to decay" Similar decomposerotputrefygo badgo offspoilfesterperishdeterioratedegradebreak downbreak upmoldershrivelshrivel upwithertechnical:mortifynecrotizesphacelatearchaic:corrupt
   • ▪ 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" Similar deterioratedegeneratedeclinego downhillslumpslipslidego to rack and ruingo to seedrun to seedworsencrumbledisintegratefall to piecescome apart at the seamsfall into disrepairbecome dilapidatedfailwaneebbdwindlecollapseinformal:go to potgo to the dogshit the skidsgo down the tubesgo down the toiletgo to the packOpposite improve
   • ▪ decline in quality, power, or vigor: "the moral authority of the party was decaying"
   • ▪ (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"
   • ▪ (of a physical quantity) undergo a gradual decrease: "the time taken for the current to decay to zero"

   noun

   • 1. the state or process of rotting or decomposition: "hardwood is more resistant to decay than softwood" Similar decompositionrottinggoing badputrefactionputrescenceputridityfesteringspoilageperishingwitheringshrivelingrotmoldmildewfungusarchaic:corruptionrotrottingcorrosioncorrodingdecompositioncariescavitiesholesrare:cariosity
   • ▪ rotten matter or tissue: "fluoride heals small spots of decay"
   • ▪ structural or physical deterioration: "the old barn rapidly fell into decay" Similar deteriorationdegenerationdebasementdegradationdeclineslippingwaningebbshrinkingwitheringweakeningatrophycrumblingdisintegrationcollapselapsefallfailureformal:devolutiondated:decadenceOpposite improvement
   • ▪ the process of declining in quality, power, or vigor: "preachers warning of moral decay"
   • ▪ 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"
   • ▪ gradual decrease in the magnitude of a physical quantity: "the decay of electrical fields in the electromagnets"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French decair, based on Latin decidere ‘fall down or off’, from de- ‘from’ + cadere ‘fall’.

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

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   • Y

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decayDecay Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decay

   • Cached

   The meaning of DECAY is to undergo decomposition. How to use decay in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Decay.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDECAY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   DECAY definition: 1. to become gradually damaged, worse, or less; to cause something to do this: 2. If a radioactive…. Learn more.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDECAY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   DECAY meaning: 1. to become gradually damaged, worse, or less; to cause something to do this: 2. If a radioactive…. Learn more.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › decayDECAY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › decay

   • Cached

   Decay, decompose, disintegrate, rot imply a deterioration or falling away from a sound condition. Decay implies either entire or partial deterioration by progressive natural changes: Teeth decay.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDECAY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   1. to decline or cause to decline gradually in health, prosperity, excellence, etc; deteriorate; waste away. 2. to rot or cause to rot as a result of bacterial, fungal, or chemical action; decompose. 3. Also: disintegrate (intransitive) physics. a.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › decayDecay - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › decay

   To decay means to rot, decompose, break down. Our bodies—anything organic—will decay after death. Broken sidewalks, potholes, graffiti are all signs of urban decay. Tooth decay is something to avoid.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishdecay noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   decay. noun. /dɪˈkeɪ/. /dɪˈkeɪ/. [uncountable] the process or result of being destroyed by natural causes or by not being cared for (= of decaying) tooth decay. The landlord had let the building fall into decay. The smell of death and decay hung over the town.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishDECAY | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   DECAY definition: 1. to gradually become bad or weak or be destroyed, often because of natural causes like bacteria…. Learn more.

10. www.britannica.com › dictionary › decayDecay Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › decay

    • Cached

    DECAY meaning: 1 : to be slowly destroyed by natural processes to be slowly broken down by the natural processes that destroy a dead plant or body; 2 : to slowly lose strength, health, etc.

11. www.dictionary.com › browse › decays'DECAY Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

    www.dictionary.com › browse › decays'

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    a gradual falling into an inferior condition; progressive decline: the decay of international relations; the decay of the Aztec civilizations. decline in or loss of strength, health, intellect, etc.: His mental decay is distressing.