photodegradable

[ foh-toh-di-grey-duh-buh l ]
/ ˌfoʊ toʊ dɪˈgreɪ də bəl /

adjective

(of a substance) capable of being broken down by light.

Origin of photodegradable

First recorded in 1970–75; photo- + degradable

Words nearby photodegradable

photoconductivity, photocopier, photocopy, photocurrent, photodecomposition, photodegradable, photodermatitis, photodetector, photodiode, photodisintegration, photodissociation

British Dictionary definitions for photodegradable

photodegradable
/ (ˌfəʊtəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbəl) /

adjective

(of plastic) capable of being decomposed by prolonged exposure to light

Medical definitions for photodegradable

photodegradable
[ fō′tō-dĭ-grā′də-bəl ]

adj.

Capable of being chemically broken down by light.

Scientific definitions for photodegradable

photodegradable
[ fō′tō-dĭ-grā′də-bəl ]

Capable of decomposing when exposed to light. Photodegradable plastic, for example, becomes brittle and breaks into smaller pieces when exposed to sunlight, helping reduce litter and environmental damage.