biodegradable

[ bahy-oh-di-grey-duh-buh l ]
/ ˌbaɪ oʊ dɪˈgreɪ də bəl /

adjective

capable of decaying through the action of living organisms: biodegradable paper; biodegradable detergent.

Origin of biodegradable

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

OTHER WORDS FROM biodegradable

bi·o·de·grad·a·bil·i·ty, noun non·bi·o·de·grad·a·ble, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for biodegradable

biodegradable
/ (ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbəl) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of biodegradable

biodegradation (ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən), noun biodegradability (ˌbaɪəʊˌdɛɡreɪdɪˈbɪlɪtɪ), noun

Medical definitions for biodegradable

biodegradable
[ bī′ō-dĭ-grādə-bəl ]

adj.

Capable of being decomposed by biological agents, especially bacteria.

Scientific definitions for biodegradable

biodegradable
[ bī′ō-dĭ-grādə-bəl ]

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

Cultural definitions for biodegradable

biodegradable
[ (beye-oh-di-gray-duh-buhl) ]

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

notes for biodegradable

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