destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin

scenes of death and destruction

the destruction of their careers

2

: the action or process of destroying something

the destruction of the building

3

: a destroying agency

Alcohol will be his destruction.

Synonyms

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

Examples of destruction in a Sentence

War results in death and widespread destruction.

We are trying to save the building from destruction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Severe storms and reported tornadoes tore through Oklahoma on Saturday into early Sunday, injuring at least five people, toppling power lines and trees and leaving a trail of destruction. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

Local fire crews as well as National Weather Service teams are surveying the damage Sunday, including in the town of Valley Brook, Harrah and Newcastle where the storms caused severe destruction. —Chris Boyette, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

Despite this, several vulture species around the world face extinction due to habitat destruction, poisoning, and hunting. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024

Eyewitness accounts described a scene of destruction, with portions of the helicopter, including the fuselage, becoming embedded in the tower itself. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destruccioun, from Anglo-French destruction, from Latin destruction-, destructio, from destruere — see destroy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destruction

• seed/seeds of one's own destruction
• self-destruction
• weapon of mass destruction
• weapons of mass destruction

Kids Definition

destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən 

1

: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin

2

: the action or process of destroying something