DISINTEGRATION

Pronunciation (US):

• DISINTEGRATION (noun)
  The noun DISINTEGRATION has 4 senses:

1. in a decomposed state
2. separation into component parts
3. the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
4. total destruction

  Familiarity information: DISINTEGRATION used as a noun is uncommon.

• DISINTEGRATION (noun)

Meaning:

In a decomposed state

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

disintegration; decomposition

Hypernyms ("disintegration" is a kind of...):

decay (an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "disintegration"):

fragmentation (the disintegration of social norms governing behavior and thought and social relationships)

Meaning:

Separation into component parts

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

disintegration; dissolution

Hypernyms ("disintegration" is a kind of...):

action; activity; natural action; natural process (a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "disintegration"):

fibrinolysis (a normal ongoing process that dissolves fibrin and results in the removal of small blood clots)

lysis ((biochemistry) dissolution or destruction of cells such as blood cells or bacteria)

Meaning:

The spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

radioactive decay; disintegration; decay

Hypernyms ("disintegration" is a kind of...):

nuclear reaction ((physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "disintegration"):

alpha decay (radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle)

beta decay (radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of a beta particle)

Meaning:

Total destruction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

annihilation; disintegration

Context example:

bomb tests resulted in the annihilation of the atoll

Hypernyms ("disintegration" is a kind of...):

demolition; destruction; wipeout (an event (or the result of an event) that completely destroys something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "disintegration"):

extermination; extinction (complete annihilation)