demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌde-mə-ˈli-shən 

ˌdē-mə-

1

: the act of demolishing: such as

a

: destruction in war by means of explosives

b

: controlled destruction of a building or other structure

The old factory is scheduled for demolition next week.

2

demolitions plural : explosives for destruction in war

demolitionist

ˌde-mə-ˈli-sh(ə-)nəst 

ˌdē-mə-

noun

Synonyms of demolition

• 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

We’re given a grand vista of demolition, and also close-ups of Ghidorah seen from the point-of-view of Professor Murakami (Min Tanaka), a Hiroshima survivor who’s been doing biological creature research. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026

In other business, Planning and Development Director Tom Cherry persuaded the RDC to postpone seeking bids for demolition of the former Garyton School, a costly endeavor. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

The school permanently closed in June and is scheduled for demolition. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

Trump was then photographed aboard Air Force One looking at a large printout appearing to show demolition plans for the center. — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

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