disintegrate

verb

dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˌ)dis-ˈin-tə-ˌgrāt How to pronounce disintegrate (audio)
disintegrated; disintegrating; disintegrates

transitive verb

1
: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles
water disintegrates the limestone
2
: to destroy the unity or integrity (see integrity sense 3) of
The lies disintegrated their marriage.

intransitive verb

1
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts
The iron hinges were disintegrating into dust.
2
: to lose unity or integrity by or as if by breaking into parts
The relationship started to disintegrate.
3
: to undergo a change in composition (see composition sense 2)
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
disintegrative adjective
disintegrator noun

Examples of disintegrate in a Sentence

The paper will disintegrate if it gets wet. The laser can disintegrate most kinds of rock.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This keeps the goat cheese from muddying the salad and the orange segments from disintegrating, creating a clean-looking, beautifully colorful salad. Julia Levy, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024 Plastics that have leaked into the environment eventually disintegrate into tiny pieces of plastic measuring five millimeters or less. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024 Many of these works have disintegrated or have been lost, with only documentary photographs remaining. Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Lewis Howes recalled afterward that he was washed overboard, but for the rest of us, the boat simply disintegrated beneath our feet. Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disintegrate 

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disintegrate was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near disintegrate

Cite this Entry

“Disintegrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disintegrate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

disintegrate

verb
dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt How to pronounce disintegrate (audio)
1
: to break or decompose into the elements, parts, or small particles making up something
2
: to go through a change in composition
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
disintegrator noun

Medical Definition

disintegrate

verb
dis·​in·​te·​grate (ˈ)dis-ˈint-ə-ˌgrāt How to pronounce disintegrate (audio)
disintegrated; disintegrating

transitive verb

: to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles

intransitive verb

1
: to break or separate into constituent elements or parts
2
: to undergo a change in composition
an atomic nucleus that disintegrates because of radioactivity
disintegration noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disintegrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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