Decay vs. Rust

Decay vs. Rust — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Decay and Rust

Decaynoun

The process or result of being gradually decomposed.

Rustnoun

The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.

The rust on my bicycle chain made cycling to work very dangerous.

Decaynoun

A deterioration of condition; loss of status or fortune.

Rustnoun

A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").

aerugo. Green or blue-green copper rust; verdigris. (American Heritage Dictionary, 1973)

Decayverb

(intransitive) To deteriorate, to get worse, to lose strength or health, to decline in quality.

The pair loved to take pictures in the decaying hospital on forty-third street.

Rustnoun

A reddish-brown color.

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Decayverb

To undergo bit rot, that is, gradual degradation.

Rustnoun

A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.

Decayverb

To undergo software rot, that is, to fail to be updated in a changing environment, so as to eventually become legacy or obsolete.

Rustverb

(intransitive) To oxidize, especially of iron or steel.

The patio furniture had rusted in the wind-driven spray.

Decayverb

To undergo prolonged reduction in altitude (above the orbited body).

2009, Francis Lyall, Paul B. Larsen, Space Law: A Treatise, page 120:

Rustverb

(transitive) To cause to oxidize.

The wind-driven spray had thoroughly rusted the patio furniture.
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Decayverb

To rot, to go bad.

The cat's body decayed rapidly.

Rustverb

(intransitive) To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.

Decayverb

To change by undergoing fission, by emitting radiation, or by capturing or losing one or more electrons.

Rustverb

To (cause to) degenerate in idleness; to make or become dull or impaired by inaction.

Decayverb

To undergo optical decay, that is, to relax to a less excited state, usually by emitting a photon or phonon.

Rustnoun

a red or brown oxide coating on iron or steel caused by the action of oxygen and moisture

Decayverb

Loss of airspeed due to drag.

Rustnoun

a reddish-brown discoloration of leaves and stems caused by a rust fungus

Decayverb

(transitive) To cause to rot or deteriorate.

The extreme humidity decayed the wooden sculptures in the museum's collection in a matter of years.

Rustnoun

the formation of reddish-brown ferric oxides on iron by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water

Decaynoun

the process of gradually becoming inferior

Rustnoun

any of various fungi causing rust disease in plants

Decaynoun

a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current

Rustverb

become destroyed by water, air, or an etching chemical such as an acid;

The metal corrodedThe pipes rusted

Decaynoun

the organic phenomenon of rotting

Rustverb

cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid;

The acid corroded the metalThe steady dripping of water rusted the metal stopper in the sink

Decaynoun

an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying;

the corpse was in an advanced state of decaythe house had fallen into a serious state of decay and disrepair

Rustverb

become coated with oxide

Decaynoun

the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation

Rustadjective

of the color of rust

Decayverb

lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current;

the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process

Decayverb

fall into decay or ruin;

The unoccupied house started to decay

Decayverb

undergo decay or decomposition;

The body started to decay and needed to be cremated