demolition

American  

[dem-uh-lish-uhn, dee-muh-] / ˌdɛm əˈlɪʃ ən, ˌdi mə- /

noun

demolitions plural

1. an act or instance of demolishing.

2. the state of being demolished; destruction.

3. destruction or demolishment by explosives.

4. demolitions, explosives, especially as used in war.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or working with explosives.

   A demolition squad attempted to blow up the bridge before the enemy captured it.

2. of or relating to tearing down or demolishing.

   Demolition work had begun on the old building.

demolition British  

/ ˌdiː-, ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of demolishing or state of being demolished

2. military

   1. destruction by explosives

   2. ( as modifier )

      a demolition charge

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• demolitionist
  noun
• nondemolition
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• demolitions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of demolition

1540–50; < Latin dēmōlītiōn- (stem of dēmōlītiō ), equivalent to dēmōlīt ( us ) (past participle of dēmōlīrī; see demolish) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Demolition is the act of knocking something down or totally destroying it. It's what construction crews do with sledgehammers and wrecking balls. Not for the faint of heart, demolition usually involves explosives, bulldozers and lots of dust and debris. The act of demolishing something could be seen as a good stress reliever though, if plowing through drywall or mowing over shrubbery is your kind of thing. Or perhaps you could join "a demolition crew," hired to send the wrecking ball though buildings big and small.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demolition demolitions

“Nothing matters more right now than completing demolition and cleanup as quickly and safely as possible to protect the health and safety of Boyle Heights and East L.A.,” the statement read.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

"I've lived here for 40 years, I don't want a demolition," another woman said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

“A bridge empties when the tolls gets high enough — no demolition required.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

After an aerial tour of the city on Monday, he ordered the demolition of all such illegal structures.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

The two of them had been brainstorming ways to speed up the demolition of Riverview Middle School.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

There are strict rules in California around the purchasing of dynamite, which is generally restricted to licensed professionals working in mining and quarry operations, building demolitions, tunneling projects and specialized industrial activities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

Though these initiatives to improve transport and public spaces have too faced criticism for mass demolitions that have displaced tens of thousands of residents.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

"Most buildings in Bint Jbeil are destroyed," he said, with most demolitions and detonations occurring since the truce.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

While a ceasefire began on April 17, the destruction, demolitions and bulldozing in southern areas have only intensified, affecting homes, infrastructure, schools, places of worship and farmland.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

When he came up he saw that everybody—the ammo carriers, the demolitions guys, the machine gunners, everybody—they were all dropping everything into the water and going under like Ishmael.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• annihilation
• explosion