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.
Examples of biodegradable in a Sentence
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
Explore reusable medical tools, sustainable packaging, and biodegradable alternatives.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
It’s made from the same biodegradable organic collagen fibre as its patented Synths®1.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 11 Mar. 2025
Because their roots are sensitive to transplant shock, planting milkweed seeds directly outside or using biodegradable pots works best.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biodegradable
Cite this Entry
“Biodegradable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biodegradable. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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biodegradable
adjective
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biodegradable
adjective
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