1. a crackling or snapping sound, especially the noise made by certain salts when heated
Usage: chemistry; technical
2. the process by which a substance breaks apart or shatters with a crackling sound when heated
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• The decrepitation of the salt crystals could be heard clearly in the laboratory.
• When heated, sodium chloride undergoes decrepitation due to trapped moisture.
• The chemist observed the decrepitation of the mineral sample as it was placed in the flame.
• Decrepitation is often used to identify certain minerals in geological studies.
• The loud decrepitation warned the researcher that the compound contained water of crystallization.