Decommissioning: meaning, definitions and examples

Usually refers to the formal process of taking a piece of machinery, equipment, or facility, especially in the military or nuclear industries, out of service and making it safe. It often involves detailed plans and regulatory oversight.

• The decommissioning of the old nuclear reactor was a top priority for the city council.
• They spent several years working on the decommissioning process to ensure environmental safety.

Used to describe the end or termination of a service, business, or facility, often due to financial issues, strategic moves, or completion of its lifecycle. It carries a more general meaning compared to 'decommissioning'.

• The sudden closure of the local bookstore left the community shocked.
• Factory closures in the region have led to increased unemployment.

Commonly used to informally describe the act of turning off or ceasing operations of a machine, computer, or facility. It can also refer to closing a business or service, generally with a more temporary or straightforward connotation.

• They had to shut down the computer system for maintenance.
• Due to a lack of funds, the community center was forced to shut down.

Relates to the act of getting rid of something, usually waste, in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner. It is often used in contexts related to waste management.

• Proper disposal of hazardous materials is critical to environmental health.
• The company adopted new disposal methods for their industrial waste.

Use this term when officially taking a facility or piece of equipment out of active service, typically for formal and procedural contexts, such as the military or nuclear facilities.

• The government announced the decommissioning of the old power plant due to safety concerns

Appropriate when discussing the end of use for something or someone, often permanently. It’s commonly used for people ending their careers, but also for equipment or products that are no longer in use.

• The company decided to retire the old software version next month

Used when physical components are taken apart piece by piece, often for machinery, equipment, or structures.

• The workers started to dismantle the old bridge to make way for the new construction

Better suited for contexts where something is being temporarily or permanently switched off, like machinery, systems, or accounts.

• After the project ended, the team decided to deactivate the test server