# biodegradable

/ˌbaɪoʊdəˈɡɹeɪdəbəɫ/ (US) · /bˌaɪəʊdɪɡɹˈeɪdəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/biodegradable
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

able to be broken down naturally by bacteria or other living things. You use this to describe things like plastic bags that disappear over time.

For teachers: capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. Often used to describe materials that break down into natural substances without leaving toxic residues.

## Examples

- You should throw away these biodegradable bags in the garden.
- The company switched to biodegradable packaging to reduce the amount of plastic waste it produces.
- While some synthetic materials claim to be biodegradable, the process often requires specific industrial conditions that are not available in a typical landfill environment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.