biodegradable
adjective
Ruth Lampi 
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In biodegradable, with its root grad, "to step or move", and its prefix de- "downward", we get an adjective describing things that can be broken down into basic substances through normal environmental processes. Animal and plant products are normally biodegradable, but mineral substances such as metals, glass, and plastics usually are not. Newly developed biodegradable plastics are now appearing in numerous products. However, "biodegradable" products can vary greatly in how long they take to break down. A loaf of bread may require only a couple of weeks, and a piece of paper may vanish in a couple of months, but some "biodegradable" plastic milk cartons may take four or five years.
Example Sentences
Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 29 Aug. 2022 Her group’s project, called Compost to Community, collected biodegradable raw materials across the campus, turned it into compost and sold it to local landscapers. Alex Hulvalchick, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022 Recyclable, biodegradable materials such as paper and glass for your cannabis packaging are becoming an industry standard. Dan Serard, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2022 Attention Frag’Îles assembled dozens of wooden lobster traps donated by local fishermen, and after removing plastic cords, rubber, metal, and other non-biodegradable materials, tied them together to form a chain parallel to the shore. Taras Grescoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2022 They're made from biodegradable materials with so-now bulky round toes and mid-platform soles. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Harper's BAZAAR, 26 July 2022 Fungi are also being cultured as meat replacements, and their mycelia fibers have been enlisted in the manufacture of biodegradable packaging and building materials. Richard Schiffman, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 The units are made of biodegradable materials including recycled wood, burlap canvas, and coconut fiber. Collin Robisheaux, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 When composted, a body is placed in a steel vessel and buried in wood chips and other biodegradable materials that allow the body to naturally decompose over a 30-day period. Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2022 See More Word History
1959, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
biodegradable
adjective
Medical Definition
biodegradable
adjective