noun🔗ShareThe process or result of being gradually decomposed."The decay of the old apple showed that it had been sitting in the fruit bowl for too long. "biologychemistryprocessnatureconditionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareA deterioration of condition; loss of status or fortune."The slow decay of his reputation within the company led to his eventual dismissal. "conditionagepropertybiologyenvironmentmedicineChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareTo deteriorate, to get worse, to lose strength or health, to decline in quality."The pair loved to take pictures in the decaying hospital on forty-third street."biologymedicineenvironmentqualityconditionnatureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗Share(of organic material) To rot, to go bad."The leftover apples in the fruit bowl began to decay quickly. "biologyfoodorganismplantfruitvegetableenvironmentnatureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗Share(of an unstable atom) To change by undergoing fission, by emitting radiation, or by capturing or losing one or more electrons."The radioactive isotope in the science lab decayed quickly, emitting dangerous radiation. "physicschemistryenergyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗Share(of a quantum system) To undergo optical decay, that is, to relax to a less excited state, usually by emitting a photon or phonon."The excited atom will quickly decay, emitting a photon of light as it returns to its ground state. "physicsenergyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareLoss of airspeed due to drag."The airplane's speed began to decay as it climbed, due to the increased air resistance. "technicalphysicsnauticalvehicleChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareTo cause to rot or deteriorate."The apple started to decay after being left out of the refrigerator for a week. "biologymedicineenvironmentnatureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
