destruct

American  

[dih-struhkt] / dɪˈstrʌkt /

adjective

1. serving or designed to destroy.

   a destruct mechanism on a missile.

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noun

1. the act or process of intentional destruction.

   One out of ten launchings ended in destructs.

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy.

verb (used without object)

1. to be destroyed.

destruct British  

/ dɪˈstrʌkt /

verb

1. to destroy (one's own missile or rocket) for safety

2. (intr) (of a missile or rocket) to be destroyed, for safety, by those controlling it; self-destruct

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noun

1. the act of destructing

adjective

1. designed to be capable of destroying itself or the object, system, or installation containing it

   destruct mechanism

Etymology

Origin of destruct

First recorded in 1630–40; back formation from destruction

Explanation

When you destruct something, you destroy or wreck it. A developer might buy an old building in order to destruct it and build a shiny new one in its place. The verb destruct isn't as common as its relatives, destructive, destruction, and self-destruct, but you can use it to mean "wipe out" or "destroy." Your doctor might worry that your lack of sleep and frequent soda drinking will destruct your health, and a kindergartner will probably wail in frustration if her little brother destructs her Lego creation. Destruct comes from destruction, most likely as 1950's US defense industry jargon.

Example Sentences

To Self Destruct has entered at number two, while Bruno Mars's 24K Magic has debuted at three.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2016

Jackson also took what appeared to be his grandma's camcorder and wrote, directed, and starred in the insanely awful Before I Self Destruct, a DVD of which was included with his album of the same name.

From The Verge • Aug. 24, 2015

Destruct: v.t., barbarism of destroy; also adj., as used in "destruct button."

From Time Magazine Archive

You could have pushed the Destruct button and I'd never have known.

From Mother America by Adkins, Dan