demolition

noun

de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌde-mə-ˈli-shən How to pronounce demolition (audio)
ˌdē-mə-
1
: the act of demolishing
especially : destruction in war by means of explosives
2
demolitions plural : explosives for destruction in war
demolitionist noun

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 Adept at handling complex renovations, Highline Construction Group’s team of project managers, site supervisors, and talented artisans oversee every step of the project from demolition to finishing touches. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2024 As for Tropicana Field, there are questions about whether it should be repaired at all, as it’s slated for demolition anyway to make way for a new $1.3 billion ballpark for the Rays to play in time for the 2028 season. Contessa Brewer,jessica Golden, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2024 Three people were killed and four were seriously injured when a bridge in Mississippi targeted for demolition collapsed Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024 Outside was the gazebo where the 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot dead by a police officer in Cleveland in 2014; working with Rice’s mother, Gates brought the structure to Chicago to save it from demolition. Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for demolition 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'demolition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of demolition was circa 1550

Dictionary Entries Near demolition

Cite this Entry

“Demolition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demolition. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

demolition

noun
de·​mo·​li·​tion ˌdem-ə-ˈlish-ən How to pronounce demolition (audio)
ˌdē-mə-
: the act of demolishing
especially : destruction by means of explosives

More from Merriam-Webster on demolition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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