burn down

phrasal verb

burned down or burnt down; burning down; burns down
1
of a building or other structure : to be destroyed by fire
The hotel burned down in 1922.
2
of a fire : to become smaller : to gradually produce less and less flame
We watched the fire as it slowly burned down.
3
: to destroy (something) by fire
Vandals burned down the school.
burned it down

Examples of burn down in a Sentence

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.
The cabaret burned down in 1915 and reopened in 1921 as a nightclub. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025 In 2018, the same day that Moore’s Democratic opponent, Doug Jones, was being sworn in to office, Johnson’s house in Gadsden burned down. Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 Ralphie cries to Tony, expressing a desire for redemption, but when a fire burns down the stable that kills Tony’s favorite horse Pie-O-My, all hell breaks loose. Skyler Trepel, People.com, 10 June 2025 The 1992 riots, which erupted after the four police officers on trial for beating King were exonerated, stretched on for several days and led to burnt down buildings, mass looting and the deaths of over 60 people, including several shot by police. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for burn down

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Cite this Entry

“Burn down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burn%20down. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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