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
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Soy wax, derived from soybean oil, has become popular thanks to its eco-friendly, renewable, and biodegradable properties.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
Straw wattles are made from biodegradable materials and can be left in place to decompose over time, while contour logs or large tree branches offer a more natural-looking solution for rustic landscapes.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
The biodegradable coffin allows the grave site to return to nature and the body to completely decompose, leaving minimal or even positive environmental impact.
—Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for biodegradable 
Dictionary Entries Near biodegradable
Cite this Entry
“Biodegradable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biodegradable. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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biodegradable
adjective
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biodegradable
adjective
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