dismantle

play

verb dis·man·tle \(ˌ)dis-ˈman-t^əl\

Definition of dismantle

dismantled

;

dismantling

play \-ˈmant-liŋ, -ˈman-t^əl-\

transitive verb
1 : to disconnect the pieces of will have to dismantle the engine; also : to destroy the integrity or functioning of The program was later dismantled due to a lack of funding.
2 : to strip of dress or covering : divest
3 : to strip of furniture and equipment dismantled the ship before scrapping it

dismantlement

play \-ˈman-t^əl-mənt\ noun

See dismantle defined for English-language learners

See dismantle defined for kids

Examples of dismantle in a Sentence

The mechanic dismantled the engine to repair it.
When will they dismantle the old bridge?
The after-school program was dismantled due to lack of funding.
He accuses them of trying to dismantle the country's legal system.

Recent Examples of dismantle from the Web

Since taking power in 2015, PiS has set about dismantling the country’s checks and balances.

— The Economist, "Poland’s government is putting the courts under its control," 22 July 2017
After any flight, ArcticShark can be dismantled, stored inside the module, and towed away.

— david hambling, Popular Mechanics, "The Winter-Proof Drone That Will Watch the Arctic," 13 July 2017
The director said she's begun to dismantle the classrooms and is working to find a new home for the equipment and supplies she's amassed over the last 36 years.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Montessori school in Naperville closing after 36 years," 11 July 2017
An overflow crowd of more than 700 people filled a town hall on health care Sunday in Louisville hosted by U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, voicing overwhelming support for the Affordable Care Act even as the U.S. Senate is poised to dismantle it.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Rep. Yarmuth's message at Sunday health care forum: Keep speaking out," 9 July 2017
Trump's public efforts to dismantle the health-care law, however, contrast sharply with President Barack Obama's efforts to build support in advance of its 2010 passage.

— john wagner, Alaska Dispatch News, "Trump largely sidesteps the bully pulpit in pushing health-care bill," 3 July 2017
Students in Tuscon, Arizona are in the process of suing the state for its passing of a 2010 law that dismantled a Mexican-American studies program that had proven results in enhancing Latinx students’ academic performance.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "Arizona's Ban on Latinx Studies Heads to Court," 1 July 2017
But what was once a division meant to bolster women and girls and help them advance in society could soon be dismantled, according to a report from Politico.

— maggie mallon, Glamour, "Donald Trump May Dismantle the White House Council on Women and Girls," 30 June 2017
Inside Jamie Horowitz’s dismantling of FoxSports.com.

— c. trent rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, "BAR: Where do the Reds stand with young pitching?," 28 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of dismantle

Middle French desmanteler, from des- dis- + mantel mantle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1579

See Words from the same year

DISMANTLE Defined for English Language Learners

dismantle

play

verb

Definition of dismantle for English Language Learners

: to take (something, such as a machine or structure) apart so that it is in separate pieces
: to destroy (something) in an orderly way : to gradually cause (something) to come to an end