disassemble

verb

dis·​as·​sem·​ble ˌdis-ə-ˈsem-bəl 

disassembled; disassembling; disassembles

transitive verb

: to take apart

disassemble a watch

intransitive verb

1

: to come apart

the frame disassembles into sections

2

: disperse, scatter

the crowd began to disassemble

disassembly

ˌdis-ə-ˈsem-blē 

noun

Synonyms

• break down
• demount
• dismantle
• dismember
• dismount
• knock down
• strike
• take down

Examples of disassemble in a Sentence

The bookshelf disassembles for easy storage.

they had to disassemble the television set in order to replace the wiring

Recent Examples on the Web

Reviewers also noted that the game is easy to assemble and disassemble. —Laura Lu, Parents, 7 June 2024

Delicate or precise work (disassembling a cell phone or laptop, for example) will require slower speeds, 200 rpms and under. —Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2024

The firearms had been disassembled and shipped in parts, according to a Haitian police investigator. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024

This game is made from lightweight but durable PVC piping and can be quickly assembled and disassembled for transport. —Lizzy Briskin, Peoplemag, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

disassemble

verb

dis·​as·​sem·​ble ˌdis-ə-ˈsem-bəl 

: to take apart

disassemble an engine

disassembly

-ˈsem-blē 

noun