decompose UK /ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz/US /ˌdikəmˈpoʊz/ verb2 •To separate or break down (something) into its components.Various fungi can decompose wood.Our team decomposed this task into several subtasks that could be successfully distributed. •To rot, decay or putrefy.Plastics can take centuries to decompose. formsdecomposed · decomposing · decomposes