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

The district first proposed the site’s demolition last April, and it’s now being prepped for construction, planner Najma Muhammad told the Overland Park Planning Commission in February. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026

Turner expressed his concerns about the East Wing demolition. —Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026

The landmark status protects the home from demolition, but doesn’t prohibit it. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

The city has hired Veit Construction to handle the demolition, with costs assessed to the property owner as part of their property tax bill. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 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