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

This was in the summer of 2019, when demolitions were under way. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024

The choreographed demolition underlines North Korea’s growing anger against South Korea’s conservative government. —Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

The verdant expanse of the yard, with palm trees, octopus trees, live oaks, interrupted by the machinery of demolition. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024

Adept at handling complex renovations, Highline Construction Group’s team of project managers, site supervisors, and talented artisans oversee every step of the project from demolition to finishing touches. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 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

circa 1550, 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