destruct

[dih-struhkt]

adjective

1. serving or designed to destroy.

   a destruct mechanism on a missile.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of destruct¹

First recorded in 1630–40; back formation from destruction

Example Sentences

Lincoln Riley needs a laminated, and larger, play card that doesn’t self destruct, along with his team, in bad weather.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It would be wrong now to say we want to react and destruct. This is not in the team. We are not a team that wants to destruct."

Read more on BBC

No doubt Arteta will self destruct at some point this season.

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“Because it is not possible to put the rocket into the planned orbit, we sent a destruct signal to the rocket,” minutes later at 10:51 a.m.

Read more on Washington Post

“A destruct command has been transmitted to H3 because there was no possibility of achieving the mission,” the announcer said on the webcast.

Read more on New York Times