destruction

[dih-struhk-shuh n]

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noun

the act of destroying: wanton destruction of a town.

the condition of being destroyed; demolition; annihilation.

a cause or means of destroying.

Nearby words

Origin of destruction

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

SYNONYMS FOR destruction

1. See ruin.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR destruction ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsnon·de·struc·tion, nounpre·de·struc·tion, nounsem·i·de·struc·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for destruction

And the Gävle Goat, apparently a sensitive creature, took the destruction hard.
Sweden’s Burning Christmas Goat|Nina Strochlic|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gävle Goat must be dreading the imminent holiday and his fifty-fifty chance of destruction.
Sweden’s Burning Christmas Goat|Nina Strochlic|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And suddenly you were in the throes of both creation and destruction.
Is Bigger Better for St. Vincent?|David Yaffe|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The F4 twister cut a long swath of destruction that crossed just four blocks from my house.
Heed the Warnings: Why We’re on the Brink of Mass Extinction|Sean B. Carroll|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Third, the destruction: These hedge-fund managers want to eliminate all limits and oversight of charter schools.
Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools|Zephyr Teachout|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He knew that the second destruction of the boats, but in a different way, would fill them with awe.
The Keepers of the Trail|Joseph A. Altsheler
Foiled for the time being in his constructive policy, Borrow turned his attention to one of destruction.
The Life of George Borrow|Herbert Jenkins
Had the children run along here their destruction would have been almost certain.
The Argosy|Various
These few feet of made ground were probably formed by the destruction of the city by Titus.
Jerusalem Explored, Volume I--Text|Ermete Pierotti
He had recourse, therefore, to the most perfidious means to compass his destruction.
Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada|Washington Irving

British Dictionary definitions for destruction

destruction

noun

the act of destroying or state of being destroyed; demolition

a cause of ruin or means of destroying

Word Origin for destruction

C14: from Latin dēstructiō a pulling down; see destroy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for destruction

destruction

early 14c., from Old French destruction (12c.) and directly from Latin destructionem (nominative destructio) "a pulling down, destruction," from past participle stem of destruere "tear down" (see destroy).