A decomposition reaction is a chemical reaction in which a compound breaks down into simpler substances. Some synonyms for decomposition reaction include chemical decomposition, chemical breakdown, disintegration, and degradation. Chemical decomposition and chemical breakdown are commonly used terms that indicate the process of breaking down a compound into its constituent parts due to a chemical reaction. Disintegration is a term that often refers to physical breakdown, but in the context of a decomposition reaction, it means the breaking down of a compound into smaller molecules or atoms. Degradation is often used to describe the process of breaking down organic matter into simpler compounds.