demolition

[ dem-uh-lish-uh n, dee-muh- ]
/ ˌdɛm əˈlɪʃ ən, ˌdi mə- /

noun

an act or instance of demolishing.
the state of being demolished; destruction.
destruction or demolishment by explosives.
demolitions, explosives, especially as used in war.

adjective

of, relating to, or working with explosives: A demolition squad attempted to blow up the bridge before the enemy captured it.
of or relating to tearing down or demolishing: Demolition work had begun on the old building.

Origin of demolition

1540–50; < Latin dēmōlītiōn- (stem of dēmōlītiō), equivalent to dēmōlīt(us) (past participle of dēmōlīrī; see demolish) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM demolition

dem·o·li·tion·ist, noun non·dem·o·li·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for demolition

British Dictionary definitions for demolition

demolition
/ (ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən, ˌdiː-) /

noun

the act of demolishing or state of being demolished
mainly military
  1. destruction by explosives
  2. (as modifier)a demolition charge

Derived forms of demolition

demolitionist, noun, adjective