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 Word Forms

• nondestruction noun
• predestruction noun
• semidestruction 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

"If some troops appear there," the Russian president said, "especially now while the fighting's going on, we proceed from the premise that these will be legitimate targets for destruction."

From BBC

Hamas denounced what it called the "operations of systematic destruction" by Israeli forces in Gaza City, saying they constituted "an unprecedented violation" of international law.

From BBC

The company said it hopes the UK government notices and takes action "needed to bring an immediate stop to the death and destruction" in Gaza, including an end to arms sales to Israel.

From BBC

They literally want to move the country backward and cause destruction; why else would government agencies dismantle cyber defenses?

From Salon

The group also says it is also concerned about culture, wages, traffic, housing and water supply, environmental destruction, infrastructure, hospitals, crime and loss of community.

From BBC

Related Words

• annihilation 
• carnage 
• elimination 
• eradication 
• extermination www.thesaurus.com
• extinction 
• loss 
• massacre 
• murder 
• ruin 
• slaughter