nondestructive

adjective

non·​de·​struc·​tive ˌnän-di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce nondestructive (audio)
: not destructive
specifically : not causing destruction of material being investigated or treated
nondestructive testing of metal
nondestructively adverb
nondestructiveness noun

Examples of nondestructive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This team used a nondestructive method to extract ancient DNA from objects to investigate the identity of the person that may have made or worn the object. Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 To alleviate concerns about destroying remains, Snow has adapted nondestructive methods to recover DNA. Erika Engelhaupt, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2023 Just like regular Photoshop layers and adjustment layers, new generative layers protect your original image by allowing nondestructive edits. Shelby Putnam Tupper, PCMAG, 13 Sep. 2023 In recent decades, scientists have turned toward nondestructive techniques like CT scanning to create three-dimensional renderings of fossils. Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 1 June 2023 There were no precise rules guiding how the United States or any military should respond in a case like this—no code with which to say that the Russian satellites had come too close, none determining the nondestructive firing of a weapon as a breach. Rachel Riederer, Harper's Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021 About 93 percent of the social-justice protests across the country this summer remained peaceful and nondestructive, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which collects data on protests and political violence around the world. Michael Smolens Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2020 Flown over a landscape, the instrument sends nondestructive laser pulses to the ground and measures the reflected beams. Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2020 This tactile technology opens up a non-optical way for the nondestructive testing of the human body and flexible electronics. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nondestructive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nondestructive was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near nondestructive

Cite this Entry

“Nondestructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nondestructive. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nondestructive

adjective
non·​de·​struc·​tive -di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce nondestructive (audio)
: not destructive
especially : not causing destruction of material being investigated or treated
nondestructive testing of metal
nondestructively adverb
nondestructiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on nondestructive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!