destruction

[ dih-struhk-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of destroying:

   wanton destruction of a town.

2. the condition of being destroyed; demolition; annihilation.
3. a cause or means of destroying.

destruction

/ dɪˈstrʌkʃən /

noun

1. the act of destroying or state of being destroyed; demolition
2. a cause of ruin or means of destroying

Other Words From

• nonde·struction noun
• prede·struction noun
• semi·de·struction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of destruction¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin dēstructiōn- (stem of dēstructiō ), equivalent to dēstruct(us) (past participle of dēstruere; destroy ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of destruction¹

C14: from Latin dēstructiō a pulling down; see destroy

Synonym Study

See ruin.

Example Sentences

The committee report also accused Richardson of obstructing the committee investigation “through the alteration or destruction of evidence” and “the deliberate failure to produce documents.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now it is the Sardinians who are gobsmacked by the Roman obsession with wind power and its possible destruction of their island.

From Salon

The research team evaluated historical sightings, survey efforts, and known threats, including climate change and habitat destruction.

From Science Magazine

She lays so much of it out in terms of that internal experience and the chaos and the destruction.

From Los Angeles Times

The suburban sprawl and landscape destruction that helped fuel the fires around Athens apply in Southern California too.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annihilation
• carnage
• elimination
• eradication
• extermination
• extinction
• loss
• massacre
• murder
• ruin
• slaughter