destruction

noun de·struc·tion \ di-ˈstrək-shən \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 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

Photographer Allan Barnes shares how the train station is one of the buildings that drew him to his art form, not to revel in destruction, but to preserve images of dignity against all odds.

— julie hinds, Detroit Free Press, "'Detroit: Comeback City' documentary is personal, and that's a good thing," 1 July 2018
In the case of tinkuy, the idea is that in destruction, there’s creation.

— Smithsonian, "Andean Solstice Celebrations Capture the Wondrous Churn of Spacetime," 22 June 2018
But first faux liberal outrage in the destruction of the rule of law, that's the focus of tonight's angle.

— Fox News, "Sessions defends zero tolerance immigration policy," 19 June 2018
What Camille carries with her—that’s my appetite for self-destruction.

— holly millea, Marie Claire, "Amy Adams Explores Her Dark Side," 18 June 2018
That has resulted in widescale destruction of property, and uncounted killings, rapes, and other atrocities.

— peter keough, BostonGlobe.com, "What happens when nationalism goes awry," 7 June 2018
In 2005, as the chief of staff to the head of the agency's Counterterrorism Center, she was also involved in the agency's destruction of videotapes of interrogation sessions.

— alan cowell and charlie savage, miamiherald, "Lithuania and Romania complicit in CIA prisons, European court says," 1 June 2018
The fighting lasted about an hour, resulting in the deaths of 43 Islamic State fighters and in the destruction of six all-terrain vehicles, the report said.

— New York Times, "At Least 4 Russians Killed in Syria in Firefight With ISIS," 27 May 2018
Haspel also faced tough questions about her involvement in the destruction of 92 videotapes that showed prisoners being waterboarded.

— erin kelly, USA TODAY, "Senate panel votes to endorse Gina Haspel as first female CIA director," 16 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.