1. Separation into component parts
   "The disintegration of the empire led to the formation of several independent states";
   - dissolution
    
2. The spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
   "The half-life of an element is determined by its rate of radioactive disintegration";
   - decay, radioactive decay
    
3. Total destruction
   "bomb tests resulted in the disintegration of the atoll";
   - annihilation
    
4. A loss (or serious disruption) of organization in some system
   "a disintegration of personality"
    
5. Physical deterioration into fragments or powder
   "The disintegration of the old papers made them unreadable";
   - decomposition

Derived forms: disintegrations

Type of: action, activity, decay, demolition, destruction, disability, disablement, handicap [archaic], impairment, natural action, natural process, nuclear reaction, wipeout

Encyclopedia: Disintegration