demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌde-mə-ˈli-shən 

ˌdē-mə-

1

: the act of demolishing

especially : destruction in war by means of explosives

2

demolitions plural : explosives for destruction in war

demolitionist

ˌde-mə-ˈli-sh(ə-)nəst 

ˌdē-mə-

noun

Synonyms

• annihilation
• decimation
• demolishment
• desolation
• destruction
• devastation
• extermination
• extinction
• havoc
• loss
• mincemeat
• obliteration
• ruin
• ruination
• wastage
• wreckage

Examples of demolition in a Sentence

The old factory is scheduled for demolition next week.

The demolitions should be complete by the end of the year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, he was accepted in a training program for the Navy’s underwater demolition team, then known as frogmen, whose missions in World War II included valuable reconnaissance of Normandy beaches and German defenses before the D-Day landings in 1944. —Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 21 June 2024

The fire started in the elevator shaft of the tower, which was under demolition, the department said Thursday afternoon. —Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2024

For the history of the bridge, see: From labor strikes to demolition, here’s the history of Kansas City’s Buck O’Neil Bridge. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2024

The demolition will take four to six weeks, according to Miami spokeswoman Kenia Fallat. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin dēmōlītiōn-, dēmōlītiō, from dēmōlīrī "to throw down, pull down, demolish" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing demolition

• demolition derby

Kids Definition

demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌdem-ə-ˈlish-ən 

ˌdē-mə-

: the act of demolishing

especially : destruction by means of explosives