Demolition: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：complete destruction of a building (demolition)

demolition 🔊

/ˌdɛməˈlɪʃən/

The act of completely knocking down a building, often to make space for something new.

Demolition scene showing excavator tearing down concrete building with dust and safety fencing

complete destruction of a building 🔊

➕

/kəmˈpliːt dɪˈstrʌkʃən əv ə ˈbɪldɪŋ/

The process of tearing down a structure entirely, usually to clear space for new development.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'demoliri' (to pull down): de- (down) + moliri (to build).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'demo' like demonstration of destruction, and 'lition' sounds like 'obliteration'.

📖 Example

The city approved the demolition of the old library to build a modern learning center. 🔊 The city authorized the tearing down of the old library to construct a new learning center.

🔗 Collocations

demolition crew – a team of workers specialized in tearing down buildings

demolition site – the location where a building is being knocked down

demolition permit – official authorization to destroy a structure

🔄 Synonyms

destruction (n.) – the act of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists

wrecking (n.) – the process of destroying something, especially a building

razing (n.) – completely destroying a building or town by knocking it down

🚫 Antonyms

construction (n.) – the act of building something

erection (n.) – the process of building a structure

preservation (n.) – the act of maintaining something in its original state

🌱 Derivatives

demolish (v.) – to completely destroy a building

demolisher (n.) – a person or machine that demolishes

demolitionist (n.) – an expert in demolition

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'demoliri', meaning 'to pull down'. Commonly used in urban development for building removal to make way for new constructions.