Definition of decommission

The word "decommission" originates from the Latin phrases "dis-" meaning "away" or "apart" and "commissio" meaning "a placing together" or "commission". In the 16th century, "decommission" came into use in the sense of formally withdrawing an official's authority or power. Initially, it referred to revoking a commission, such as stripping an officer of their rank or duties. Over time, the term expanded to cover other contexts, including the decommissioning of military vessels, buildings, or infrastructure, where it means to render them inactive, out of service, or no longer functional. Today, "decommission" is widely used in various fields, including military, business, and technology, to convey the idea of formally ending a commission, authority, or operation.