decommissioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'decommissioning' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of officially retired a tool, system, or machine from use. For example: "The decommissioning of the old machinery was the first step in the company's modernization process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If, in our view, a genuine and meaningful response is forthcoming to Monday's statement from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning the way will then be clear for the establishment of the political Institutions envisaged in the Belfast Agreement.

The Guardian

It appeared republicans were ready to make a significant gesture on the central issue of decommissioning.

The Guardian

Adams also stresses his party's record at Stormont, calling on republicans to use this vote to register their disapproval of Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble's ban on its two ministers, Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun, attending cross-border meetings unless the IRA starts decommissioning.

The Guardian

These are organisations officially committed not only to ceasefires but to decommissioning their weapons and their military-style structures.

The Guardian

Useful links Full text of the peace plan Northern Ireland Office Most recent international commission on decommissioning report Parades commission Northern Ireland assembly Text of the Good Friday agreement Political parties Alliance party Democratic Unionist party Progressive Unionist party Sinn Fein Social Democratic and Labour party Ulster Democratic party Ulster Unionist party.

The Guardian

The fledgling political institutions were headed for collapse today at midnight because the Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, insisted he could not resume his post as first minister unless the IRA began decommissioning arms.

The Guardian

The Environment Agency (EA), which has already said it was "minded to grant the authorisation", is also considering applications from two other firms with sites in Lancashire and Cumbria, and others are expected in future to cope with the huge increase in waste generated by decommissioning the UK's older nuclear power stations over the coming years.

The Guardian

These issues, which must be resolved within five weeks or the Agreement could collapse, are "policing, the stability of the institutions, security normalisation and decommissioning".

The Guardian

SDLP leader John Hume said that, unlike Sinn Fein, his party had always opposed violence and he called on all paramilitaries to make clear to the decommissioning body that they would put their weapons beyond use as soon as possible.

The Guardian

But the same sources now say that while the three main pro-agreement parties refused to endorse the London/Dublin blueprint on how to deal with the main stumbling blocks of decommissioning, policing and demilitarisation, enough progress has been made for the two governments to believe consensus can be reached soon.

The Guardian

The establishment of inclusive political Institutions and the commencement of the process of decommissioning are the first steps in this process.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about environmental or industrial processes, use "decommissioning" to specifically refer to the safe removal and disposal of equipment or facilities that are no longer in use. This term carries a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "demolition" when "decommissioning" is more appropriate. "Decommissioning" implies a planned and careful process, whereas "demolition" suggests a more destructive and immediate action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "decommissioning" is that of a gerund or present participle, often functioning as a noun describing the process itself. As illustrated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in contexts relating to the formal removal of facilities or systems from active operation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decommissioning" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term referring to the process of taking something out of service, particularly in industries like nuclear energy and oil and gas. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily as a gerund or present participle, conveying information about safety, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance. While it appears in diverse contexts, it is mostly common in news, business and technical domains. When using "decommissioning", ensure it aligns with a planned and responsible removal process, differentiating it from terms like "demolition". Alternatives include "retiring from service" or "phasing out", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retiring from service

Focuses on the act of formally removing something from active use.

taking offline

Specifically refers to removing systems or equipment from operation, particularly in a technological context.

shutting down

Implies the act of stopping the operation of a facility or system.

dismantling

Emphasizes the physical disassembly of something, often at the end of its useful life.

closing down

Refers to the act of permanently ceasing operations.

phasing out

Describes the gradual withdrawal of something from use.

scrapping

Implies discarding something as waste material.

deactivating

Highlights the action of making something inactive or non-functional.

discontinuing use

A more formal way of saying stopping the use of something.

terminating operations

Focuses on the act of ending business activities.

FAQs

How is "decommissioning" typically used in a sentence?

The word "decommissioning" is commonly used as a gerund or present participle, often describing the process of taking something out of service. For example: "The "decommissioning of the plant" is expected to take several years".

What are some alternatives to the word "decommissioning"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "retiring from service", "shutting down", or "phasing out" as alternatives to "decommissioning".

Is there a difference between "decommissioning" and "dismantling"?

"Decommissioning" usually implies a more comprehensive process that includes planning, safety measures, and environmental considerations, while "dismantling" simply refers to taking something apart.

What industries commonly use the term "decommissioning"?

The term "decommissioning" is frequently used in industries such as nuclear energy, oil and gas, and military, where equipment or facilities need to be safely and responsibly taken out of service.