SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

in ruins

idiom

Definition of in ruins

: destroyed with some pieces or parts remaining

The building was/lay in ruins.

—sometimes used figuratively

After her death, the family was in ruins.

Word by Word Definitions

ruin play ruins

: a falling down : collapse
: physical, moral, economic, or social collapse
: the state of being ruined

: to reduce to ruins : devastate
: to damage irreparably
: bankrupt, impoverish

See the full definition of ruin

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