ˈkɹʌmbəl dɪˈkeɪ di.ˈkeɪ dɪˈkeɪ di.ˈkeɪ dɪˈklaɪn ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz diːˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən dɪˈlæp.ɪ.deɪt dɪsˈɪntɪɡɹeɪt dɪs.ɪn.tɪˈɡɹeɪʃən fall into decay or ruin The unoccupied house started to decay lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process undergo decay or decomposition The body started to decay and needed to be cremated the organic phenomenon of rotting a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current the process of gradually becoming inferior the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying the corpse was in an advanced state of decay the house had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepair