destruction

noun de·struc·tion \ di-ˈstrək-shən \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of destruction

1 : the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin

scenes of death and destruction

the destruction of their careers

2 : the action or process of destroying something

the destruction of the building

3 : a destroying agency

Alcohol will be his destruction.

See destruction defined for English-language learners

See destruction defined for kids

Examples of destruction in a Sentence

War results in death and widespread destruction.
We are trying to save the building from destruction.

Recent Examples of destruction from the Web

Patrick Stein, Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy against civil rights in the plot targeting Muslims in Garden City.

— Fox News, "Trial of men accused in Somali immigrant bomb plot nears end," 17 Apr. 2018
In 2001, Ben Kacyra watched helplessly as television reports documented the Taliban’s destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, the historic 4th- and 5th-century monuments in Afghanistan.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Check Out the World’s Largest Archive Digitally Preserving At-Risk Heritage Sites," 16 Apr. 2018
Weapons of mass destruction won't create a military advantage once the United States is done with you and Russia cannot protect its clients from the United States.

— michael wolgelenter, Anchorage Daily News, "Seven takeaways from the airstrikes on Syria," 14 Apr. 2018
General assistance, Chagrin River Road: A resident turned over three firearms to police March 31 for destruction.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Officers cannot locate race between car and two motorcycles: Gates Mills Police Blotter," 4 Apr. 2018
The demon core, destined for use in a weapon of mass destruction, was designed to have a hair trigger.

— julian g. west, The Atlantic, "The Atomic-Bomb Core That Escaped World War II," 2 Apr. 2018
Deforestation, the destruction of wetlands and other forms of land conversion can release massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, which may worsen global warming.

— chelsea harvey, Scientific American, "Climate Change Is Becoming a Top Threat to Biodiversity," 28 Mar. 2018
Bolton came to prominence during the George W. Bush administration when he was hired as the undersecretary of state in charge of arms control — managing US diplomacy surrounding weapons of mass destruction and other weapons issues.

— julie bogen, Vox, "What’s most frightening about National Security Adviser John Bolton," 27 Mar. 2018
Shelter employees and researchers report a sharp uptick in domestic violence following the destruction of hurricanes Irma and María last fall.

— whitney eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, "After hurricane María, a surge in domestic violence – and demands for change," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'destruction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of destruction

Middle English destruccioun, from Anglo-French destruction, from Latin destruction-, destructio, from destruere — see destroy

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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destruction Synonyms

DESTRUCTION Defined for English Language Learners

destruction

noun

Definition of destruction for English Language Learners

: the act or process of damaging something so badly that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired : the act or process of destroying something

DESTRUCTION Defined for Kids

destruction

noun de·struc·tion \ di-ˈstrək-shən \

Definition of destruction for Students

1 : the act or process of killing, ruining, or putting an end to something

Destruction of the old building is underway.

2 : the state or fact of being killed, ruined, or brought to an end Destruction of the animal's habitat nearly caused its extinction.

Word Root of destruction

The Latin word struere, meaning “to build,” and its form structus give us the root struct. Words from the Latin struere have something to do with building. A structure is something that was built, such as a house. To construct is to build by combining parts together. To obstruct is to build an obstacle that blocks a passage or path. Destruction is the process of taking apart something that was built.