destruction

noun de·struc·tion \ di-ˈstrək-shən \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: destruction in a Sentence

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

One term you’ll hear mentioned often is CVID, which stands for the complete, verifiable and irreversible destruction of North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

— rob tornoe, Philly.com, "Trump summit: Live updates from meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un," 11 June 2018
The destruction of presidential records is only the latest example of the fact that Trump simply doesn't grasp that idea.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Donald Trump is literally tearing up the trappings of the US presidency," 11 June 2018
If these peptides have enough irregularities, the immune system may identify them as problems and mark them for destruction.

— keridwen cornelius, Scientific American, "A Shot against Cancer Slated for Testing in Massive Dog Study," 7 June 2018
One man who was part of what could be considered the destruction of the club's old identity is Bob Bradley.

— SI.com, "'Opportunity to Re-Establish': Ex-Boss Bob Bradley Hopes Relegation Helps the 'Swansea Way' Return," 30 May 2018
Marion County's education standards — in fact, Florida's education standards — do not include activities for the destruction of live animals, nuisance or not.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Florida teacher accused of drowning raccoons and opossum in class," 17 May 2018
Israel has long viewed Iran as its biggest threat because of Tehran's nuclear activities, its support for armed groups across the region and its leaders' frequent calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.

— NBC News, "Iran's Rouhani says plans in place for any Trump decision on nuclear deal," 6 May 2018
The permit called for the destruction of 16.6 acres of wetlands, including more than 13 acres of a rare type of swamp that is heavily populated by white pine and red maple.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Judge invalidates DNR permit for controversial Wisconsin sand processing plant," 4 May 2018
What the enemy meant for destruction, God will turn into peace.

— molly knight, Marie Claire, "NFL Cheerleaders Shamed for Being Too Sexy—and Not Having Sex at All," 1 May 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.