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

Words nearby demolition

demographics, demography, demoiselle, demoiselle crane, demolish, demolition, demolition bomb, demolition derby, demolitions, demon, demon star

Words related to demolitions

annihilation, explosion, extermination, wrecking, leveling

Example sentences from the Web for demolitions

British Dictionary definitions for demolitions (1 of 2)

demolitions
/ (ˌdɛməˈlɪʃənz, ˌdiː-) /

pl n mainly military

  1. explosives, as when used to blow up bridges, etc
  2. (as modifier)a demolitions expert
targets prepared for destruction by explosives

British Dictionary definitions for demolitions (2 of 2)

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