caries, dental caries, tooth decay, cavity - soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth

corruption - decay of matter (as by rot or oxidation)

rotting, putrefaction, rot, decomposition - (biology) decaying caused by bacterial or fungal action

dilapidation, ruin - the process of becoming dilapidated

natural action, natural process, activity, action - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"

spoiling, spoilage - the process of becoming spoiled

decrease, decrement - a process of becoming smaller or shorter

exponential decay, exponential return - a decrease that follows an exponential function

organic phenomenon - (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals

unsoundness - a condition of damage or decay

putrefaction, rot - decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor

disintegration, decomposition - in a decomposed state

deterioration, impairment - a symptom of reduced quality or strength

alpha decay - radioactive decay of an atomic nucleaus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle

beta decay - radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of a beta particle

nuclear reaction - (physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei

natural philosophy, physical science, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions

change integrity - change in physical make-up

disintegrate - cause to undergo fission or lose particles

change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night"

deteriorate - become worse or disintegrate; "His mind deteriorated"

rust, corrode - become destroyed by water, air, or an etching chemical such as an acid; "The metal corroded"; "The pipes rusted"

weather - change under the action or influence of the weather; "A weathered old hut"

eat at, erode, gnaw at, gnaw, wear away - become ground down or deteriorate; "Her confidence eroded"

wilt, droop - become limp; "The flowers wilted"

ruin - fall into ruin

fall apart, wear out, bust, wear, break - go to pieces; "The lawn mower finally broke"; "The gears wore out"; "The old chair finally fell apart completely"

change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night"

molder, moulder, rot, decompose - break down; "The bodies decomposed in the heat"

go bad, spoil - become unfit for consumption or use; "the meat must be eaten before it spoils"

putrefy - become putrid; decay with an offensive smell; "organic matter putrefies"

deliquesce - melt away in the process of decay; "The fungi eventually deliquesced"