teardown

1 of 2

noun

tear·​down ˈter-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce teardown (audio)
: the act or process of disassembling

tear down

2 of 2

verb

tore down; torn down; tearing down; tears down

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to decompose or disintegrate
b
: vilify, denigrate
trying to tear down his reputation
2
: to take apart : disassemble
tear down an engine

Examples of teardown in a Sentence

Verb vandals tore down the wooden fence blocking the entrance to the beach the new owners apparently bought the house just to tear it down and build a lavish mansion in its place
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Martini likened the project to a teardown that would require the Alcatraz facility to be rebuilt from the ground up. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 5 May 2025 College sports’ future financial structure remains uncertain as legal proceedings and legislative discussion continue amid the teardown of existing NCAA oversight. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Spence said Casey’s plans to tear down and replace the existing fence, but did not say at what height. Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 As a result, homes and municipal buildings have aged and deteriorated but were not torn down and replaced. Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for teardown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of teardown was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Teardown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teardown. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

tear down

verb
: to knock down and break into pieces
tear down an old building
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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