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
Garner's family church also burned down in the blaze.
—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Over the years, the theater burned down—twice—and the organization has grown to include two indoor theaters that also mount productions throughout the year.
—Ellen Carpenter, AFAR Media, 19 May 2025
The paramilitary fighters burned down whole swaths of houses, markets and other buildings.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
As the candle burns down, Lorde recalls a moment after her second psychedelic therapy session.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for burn down
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.
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Over the years, the theater burned down—twice—and the organization has grown to include two indoor theaters that also mount productions throughout the year.
—Ellen Carpenter, AFAR Media, 19 May 2025
The paramilitary fighters burned down whole swaths of houses, markets and other buildings.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
As the candle burns down, Lorde recalls a moment after her second psychedelic therapy session.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for burn down
Cite this Entry
“Burn down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burn%20down. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share