unbiodegradableadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˌbʌɪə(ʊ)dᵻˈɡreɪdəbl/, U.S. /ˌənˌbaɪoʊdəˈɡreɪdəb(ə)l/, /ˌənˌbaɪoʊdiˈɡreɪdəb(ə)l/ Not able to be broken down and decomposed by the action of bacteria or other living organisms. Cf. biodegradable adj.
ΚΠ
1964 Jrnl. Amer. Oil Chemists' Soc. 41 753/1 Detergent foaming after passing through waste water treatment facilities has been verified to be caused by unbiodegradable 'hard detergents'.
1978 D. Bloodworth Crosstalk xxxi. 239 An imitation crocodile handbag in some unbiodegradable plastic.
2008 S. Armitage Gig (2009) 68 Net floats, hundreds of them, like giant bowling balls, washed up with tons of other unbiodegradable maritime junk.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1964