Meaning & use
biodegrading
Last updated
“biodegrading” is a form of “biodegrade”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitivetechnicalbiology
Being broken down naturally by living things such as bacteria or fungi.
Grammar: No object; often used in progressive tenses: The plastic is biodegrading.
Patterns
- be biodegrading
- biodegrading in something
- biodegrading over time
The food waste is biodegrading quickly in the compost heap.
Scientists are studying how these new materials are biodegrading in seawater.
The plastic bags are not biodegrading as fast as we hoped.
adjectivebefore a nountechnicalbiology
Describing a substance that is in the process of being broken down naturally.
Grammar: Used before a noun: biodegrading waste, biodegrading process.
Patterns
- biodegrading waste
- biodegrading process
- biodegrading material
The biodegrading waste releases methane gas.
They measured the biodegrading process over six months.
Word forms
| base form | biodegrade |
|---|---|
| third person singular | biodegrades |
| past tense | biodegraded |
| past participle | biodegraded |
| -ing form | biodegrading |
Common combinations
- biodegrading waste
- The biodegrading waste produces a strong smell.
- slowly biodegrading
- The plastic is slowly biodegrading in the landfill.
- biodegrading process
- Heat speeds up the biodegrading process.
Synonyms and how they differ
- decomposing
- Decomposing is a more general word for rotting or breaking down; biodegrading specifically means broken down by living organisms.
- breaking down
- Breaking down is a general phrasal verb; biodegrading is the technical term used in science.
Word family
- biodegrade verb
- To be broken down by living things.
- biodegradable adjective
- Able to be broken down naturally by living things.
- biodegradation noun
- The process of being broken down by living things.
Commonly confused: biodegrading or degrading?
biodegrading vs degrading
Degrading can mean breaking down chemically, but it also means 'causing loss of respect'. Biodegrading specifically involves living organisms.
Practice
The banana peel is ______ in the garden soil.
Choose one answer.
The present continuous 'is biodegrading' shows an ongoing natural process. 'Biodegrade' would need a helper verb like 'will' or 'can', and 'biodegraded' would mean it is already finished.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “biodegrading”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.