biodegradableadj.
/ˌbʌɪə(ʊ)dᵻˈɡreɪdəbl/, U.S. /ˌbaɪoʊdəˈɡreɪdəb(ə)l/, /ˌbaɪoʊdiˈɡreɪdəb(ə)l/ Of a substance or object (esp. refuse or a potential pollutant): able to be broken down and decomposed by the action of living organisms (esp. bacteria), or their metabolic or biochemical processes. See biodegrade v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [adjective] > decomposed > susceptible to decomposition
disintegrable1794
biodegradable?1959
degradable1963
?1959 L. Klein River Pollution 432 In the U.S.A., it is also anticipated that only the biodegradable detergents made from straight chain paraffin hydrocarbons will be marketed by the end of 1965.
1974 R. Hawkey & R. Bingham Wild Card xv. 127 His novel advances in the field of biodegradable materials..had brought him an overnight reputation.
1988 Finding out about Packaging (1990) v. 40/1 Some substances, such as glass and most plastics, are not biodegradable.
1990 Sci. Amer. Apr. 14/2 Before a biodegradable implant can be used on a patient, it must be proved that the implanted polymer [and] its breakdown products..are safe.
2005 A. Smith Accidental 32 The person finishes her apple and tosses the applecore into the air and over a hedge. Biodegradable, she says.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.?1959