demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌde-mə-ˈli-shən 

ˌdē-mə-

1

: the act of demolishing

especially : destruction in war by means of explosives

2

demolitions plural : explosives for destruction in war

demolitionist

ˌde-mə-ˈli-sh(ə-)nəst 

ˌdē-mə-

noun

Synonyms

• destruction
• devastation
• havoc
• extinction
• loss

Examples of demolition in a Sentence

The old factory is scheduled for demolition next week.

The demolitions should be complete by the end of the year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Historic districts come with additional rules and regulations for renovations, construction and demolitions. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025

Public notices regarding the demolitions are available on the GHA’s website. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

Before that, there is demolition to be done at the Warsaw site. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

According to city records, the property is designated a Historic and Cultural Landmark, but has not been protected from demolition. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin dēmōlītiōn-, dēmōlītiō, from dēmōlīrī "to throw down, pull down, demolish" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing demolition

• demolition derby

Rhymes for demolition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• deposition

Kids Definition

demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌdem-ə-ˈlish-ən 

ˌdē-mə-

: the act of demolishing

especially : destruction by means of explosives