destruction

American  

[dih-struhk-shuhn] / dɪˈstrʌk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of destroying.

   wanton destruction of a town.

2. the condition of being destroyed; demolition; annihilation.

3. a cause or means of destroying.

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destruction British  

/ dɪˈstrʌkʃən /

noun

1. the act of destroying or state of being destroyed; demolition

2. a cause of ruin or means of destroying

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Related Words

See ruin.

Other Word Forms

• nondestruction noun
• predestruction noun
• semidestruction noun

Etymology

Origin of destruction

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin dēstructiōn- (stem of dēstructiō ), equivalent to dēstruct(us) (past participle of dēstruere; destroy ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Last weekend, a sensational report posited a future in which AI unleashes enough disruption and job destruction to bring on a deep recession and financial crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s a tension in his art, between fracture and mending, destruction and creation, that holds out a promise of rebirth and lends humble forms outsize power.

From The Wall Street Journal

But even he might have underestimated its most expensive cost: the destruction of trust.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Such wanton destruction of the German cultural scene, such self-inflicted insularity, must not be allowed to happen," it said.

From Barron's

Although it has been widely alleged - by politicians, police and protesters - that organised groups and infiltrators acting on behalf of political interests helped drive the destruction, we have found no evidence to substantiate the claim.

From BBC

Related Words

• annihilation
• carnage
• elimination
• eradication
• extermination
• extinction
• loss
• massacre
• murder
• ruin
• slaughter