demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌde-mə-ˈli-shən 

ˌdē-mə-

1

: the act of demolishing

especially : destruction in war by means of explosives

2

demolitions plural : explosives for destruction in war

demolitionist

ˌde-mə-ˈli-sh(ə-)nəst 

ˌdē-mə-

noun

Synonyms

• annihilation
• decimation
• demolishment
• desolation
• destruction
• devastation
• extermination
• extinction
• havoc
• loss
• mincemeat
• obliteration
• ruin
• ruination
• wastage
• wreckage

Examples of demolition in a Sentence

The old factory is scheduled for demolition next week.

The demolitions should be complete by the end of the year.

Recent Examples on the Web

The demolition of the Chicago Stock Exchange in 1972 is often cited as the tipping point toward creating any significant landmark protections in Chicago. —Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Dec. 2024

This has included banning cars, demolition and construction work, and spraying roads with water. —Aishwarya S Iyer, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

The arcade seemed doomed in February when the Farmington Hills City Council approved the demolition of its building on Orchard Lake Road near 14 Mile. —Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 10 Dec. 2024

In a speech to fellow council members, Raman said that by not allowing more housing in single-family zones, the city was directing too much development into existing multifamily areas, which would result in the frequent demolition of existing apartments and displacement of tenants. —Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin dēmōlītiōn-, dēmōlītiō, from dēmōlīrī "to throw down, pull down, demolish" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing demolition

• demolition derby

Kids Definition

demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌdem-ə-ˈlish-ən 

ˌdē-mə-

: the act of demolishing

especially : destruction by means of explosives