de·com·pose 
/ˌdi:kəmˈpoʊz/ verb
de·com·pos·es; de·com·posed; de·com·pos·ing /ˌdi:kəmˈpoʊz/ verb 1 : to cause something (such as dead plants and the bodies of dead animals) to be slowly destroyed and broken down by natural processes, chemicals, etc. [+ obj] ▪ Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter. ▪ partially decomposed bodies [no obj] ▪ The wood on our deck is beginning to decompose. [=(less formally) rot] ▪ the smell of decomposing leaves synonyms 1decay 2 technical : to cause something (such as a chemical) to be separated into smaller or simpler parts [+ obj] ▪ decompose a chemical compound [no obj] ▪ The compound will decompose in the presence of light.
— de·com·po·si·tion /diˌkɑ:mpəˈzɪʃən/ noun [noncount]
▪ The wood is already showing signs of decomposition. ▪ the decomposition of organic matter
/diˌkɑ:mpəˈzɪʃən/ noun [noncount] ▪ The wood is already showing signs of decomposition. ▪ the decomposition of organic matter
