dilapidation

British  

/ dɪˌlæpɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. the state of being or becoming dilapidated

2. (often plural) property law

   1. the state of disrepair of premises at the end of a tenancy due to neglect

   2. the extent of repairs necessary to such premises

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Other Word Forms

• dilapidator noun

Example Sentences

There’s this sense of his physical dilapidation as he moves.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

The group also heard significant concerns about financial investment in the service and the negative impact on infrastructure - including the dilapidation of the police estate in some areas and the quality of technology.

From BBC • May 23, 2023

Ms. Snow said that the city was “responsible for the terrible condition” of the building because it had done little to prevent further dilapidation since it acquired the property.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2021

Is 20 miles of disrepair and dilapidation how we want to represent our democracy’s best idea?

From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2021

Despite its dilapidation and squalor, Maxwell Street had always felt secure and familiar to me.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros