degradable

American  

[dih-grey-duh-buhl] / dɪˈgreɪ də bəl /

adjective

1. susceptible to chemical breakdown.

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degradable British  

/ dɪˈɡreɪdəbəl /

adjective

1. (of waste products, packaging materials, etc) capable of being decomposed chemically or biologically See also biodegradable

2. capable of being degraded

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degradable Scientific  

/ dĭ-grā′də-bəl /

1. Relating to a compound that breaks down into simpler compounds by stages. During the degradation of a degradable compound, well-defined intermediate products are created.

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Other Word Forms

• degradability noun

Etymology

Origin of degradable

First recorded in 1960–65; degrade + -able

Example Sentences

The nanocapsules required the addition of targeting ligands to bring them to their disease target and degradable crosslinkers that would allow release of the cargo at that site.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2024

Mr Greer said these often say they are degradable, but this process takes about 500 years.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2022

Often, my consumer choices are based on whether the product is degradable over time, i.e., not plastic.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2020

We have magnetic nanoparticles fully degradable in the body.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2018

If any degradable compostable items remain intact — thick cornstalks or cabbage stems, perhaps — just toss them back onto the compost pile and give them another year.

From Washington Post • Nov. 29, 2016