decomposer
nounUK /ˌdiː.kəmˈpəʊ.zər/
US /ˌdiː.kəmˈpoʊ.zɚ/
A decomposer is a living thing that breaks down dead plants and animals into tiny pieces.
Mushrooms and bacteria are decomposers that help dead leaves rot away.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A person or thing that causes something to break apart into smaller parts.
The storm was a decomposer of the old wooden fence.
3. In chemistry, a substance or agent that breaks a compound into simpler substances.
Heat acted as a decomposer, splitting the compound into two gases.
4. A program or device that separates data or signals into their basic components.
The signal decomposer split the mixed audio into separate tracks.