ruination

[ roo-uh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or state of ruining or the state of being ruined.
2. something that ruins.

ruination

/ ˌruːɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of ruining or the state of being ruined
2. something that causes ruin

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruination¹

First recorded in 1655–65; ruinate + -ion

Example Sentences

Fire is to piers what water was to the Wicked Witch of the West — a ruination.

From Los Angeles Times

The wind did not discriminate with its ruination.

From Los Angeles Times

They claim the AHL’s financial gain would amount to their own ruination.

From Seattle Times

"I think they thought 'oh my god' this is going to be the ruination of us," Mr Smith said.

From BBC

It was a gesture of play as much as protest, striking above all for Williams’s decision not to burn the flags but to preserve their crisp, and oddly appetizing, ruination.

From New York Times