destructor

[ dih-struhk-ter ]

noun

1. British. a furnace for the burning of refuse; incinerator.
2. Rocketry. a destruct mechanism or device for destroying an off-course airborne missile or launch vehicle.

destructor

/ dɪˈstrʌktə /

noun

1. a furnace or incinerator for the disposal of refuse, esp one that uses the resulting heat to generate power
2. a device used to blow up a dangerously defective missile or rocket after launching

Word History and Origins

Origin of destructor¹

1685–95; < Late Latin dēstructor, equivalent to Latin dēstruc- variant stem of dēstruere ( destruction ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

The municipal garbage plant (destructor) collects and reduces to fertilizer 100 tons of garbage per day.

From Project Gutenberg

Sawkins was instructed to take a truck to the house and get the bedding and take it to the town Refuse Destructor to be destroyed.

From Project Gutenberg

These hoppers are in the middle of the width of the destructor, and each communicates with a cell on each side of it.

From Project Gutenberg

The only thing then is to add a gas refuse destructor to your apparatus.

From Project Gutenberg

He said he had been told to take them to the Destructor, and he was going to do so.

From Project Gutenberg