biodegradable

adjective

bio·​de·​grad·​able ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈgrā-də-bəl 

: capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (such as microorganisms)

biodegradable trash bags

biodegradability

ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˌgrā-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

biodegradable noun

plural biodegradables

"… we would never discourage the development of technologies that promote recyclables or biodegradables. [=biodegradable materials]"

—Ruth Lampi

biodegradation

ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-ˌde-grə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

biodegrade

ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈgrād 

verb

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike harsh physical exfoliants like walnut shells or peach pits, which can cause micro-tears, this method can use a variety of different gentle exfoliants, such as biodegradable jojoba beads, collections of enzymes, or rice bran, to help maintain smooth skin while minimizing sensitivity. —Eva Crouse, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2025

The hotel uses local and regional plants for landscaping that do not rely on intensive irrigation, and of course, there is the organic garden that provides ingredients for the restaurants, which also only uses biodegradable takeout materials. —Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2024

Although parchment paper is made of biodegradable paper, not all parchment paper can be composted. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2024

Some people use biodegradable soap and a washcloth, while others prefer tea tree oil and a cotton bandana. —Isabella Rosario, Outside Online, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

biodegradable

adjective

bio·​de·​grad·​able -di-ˈgrād-ə-bəl 

: capable of being broken down especially into harmless products by the action of living things (as bacteria)

biodegradability

-ˌgrād-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

biodegrade

-di-ˈgrād 

verb

Medical Definition

biodegradable

adjective

bio·​de·​grad·​able -di-ˈgrād-ə-bəl 

: capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (as microorganisms)

biodegradability

-ˌgrād-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural biodegradabilities

biodegradation

-ˌdeg-rə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

biodegrade

-di-ˈgrād 

verb

biodegraded; biodegrading