double decomposition

noun Chemistry.

a reaction whose result is the interchange of two parts of two substances to form two new substances, as AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3.
Also called metathesis.

Origin of double decomposition

First recorded in 1865–70

Words nearby double decomposition

double crown, double cup, double dagger, double date, double day, double decomposition, double demy, double density, double digging, double dip, double dresser

British Dictionary definitions for double decomposition

double decomposition

noun

a chemical reaction between two compounds that results in the interchange of one part of each to form two different compounds, as in AgNO 3 + KI → AgI + KNO 3 Also called: metathesis