Meaning & use
decomposer
An organism, such as a fungus or bacterium, that breaks down dead plant or animal matter.
See it in a sentence
Decomposers in the soil recycle nutrients from fallen leaves back into the ecosystem.
Without decomposers, dead organisms would pile up instead of returning nutrients to the earth.
A note on using this word
A core term in ecology, usually contrasted with producers and consumers in a food chain.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “decomposer”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.