destruction

noun

de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce destruction (audio)
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.

Examples of destruction in a Sentence

War results in death and widespread destruction. We are trying to save the building from destruction.
Recent Examples on the Web The rebels did not directly acknowledge any destruction from those strikes. Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 The fire was one of five burning across the Panhandle that wrought destruction on the land and residents this past week. Andy Rose and Brammhi Balarajan, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 The destruction of the Sergei Kotov continues Ukraine’s unexpected run of victories over the Black Sea Fleet, which started at a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to start running short on evidence his forces could continue to register wins over Russian forces. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024 Britain’s military intelligence services confirmed the destruction of the A-50 plane. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 In a region that experienced widespread destruction during the invasion, then months of occupation and the Ukrainian counteroffensive, rebuilding depends on foreign cash – and, of course, the course of the war. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2024 The time-consuming and costly process is a result of a 1986 state law that banned the destruction of embryos created during IVF. Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 The logic of this enterprise makes the embryos’ eventual destruction all but inevitable. Darryl Wright, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2024 And therefore, there will not be allowed the destruction of embryos under this decision. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destruccioun, from Anglo-French destruction, from Latin destruction-, destructio, from destruere — see destroy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destruction was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near destruction

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

destruction

noun
de·​struc·​tion di-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce destruction (audio)
1
: the state or fact of being destroyed : ruin
2
: the action or process of destroying something

More from Merriam-Webster on destruction

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