biodegradable

[ bahy-oh-di-grey-duh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of decaying through the action of living organisms:

   biodegradable paper; biodegradable detergent.

biodegradable

/ ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən; ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbəl; ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡreɪdɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (of sewage constituents, packaging material, etc) capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other biological means

biodegradable

/ bī′ō-dĭ-grā′də-bəl /

1. Capable of being decomposed by the action of biological agents, especially bacteria.

biodegradable

1. Material that, left to itself, will be decomposed by natural processes.

Notes

The use of biodegradable packaging is supposed to reduce the volume of waste in landfills.

Derived Forms

• biodegradability, noun
• biodegradation, noun

Other Words From

• bio·de·grada·bili·ty noun
• nonbi·o·de·grada·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of biodegradable¹

First recorded in 1960–65; bio- + degrade + -able

Example Sentences

And the prince was no exception, dressed in a second-hand double-breasted Prince of Wales check jacket and white plastic-free fully biodegradable shoes.

From BBC

The end result is a clear, unscented, biodegradable liquid about the viscosity of baby oil that allows you to indulge in a little guilty pleasure without feeling guilty about the environment.

From Los Angeles Times

This involves composting organic waste, recycling materials and using sustainable, reusable, or biodegradable products.

From Salon

Because of its properties, hyaluronic acid is often used in biodegradable materials such as wound healing patches meant to be implanted or applied to the body.

From Science Daily

It is assessing how biodegradable packaging and products break down and, in turn, whether the plastics or their breakdown products affect species both on land and in the marine environment.

From Science Daily