English Explanatory Dictionary

demolish

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To destroy (buildings, etc.), especially in a planned or intentional fashion.
  2. To defeat, refute, discredit, or consume utterly (as a theory, belief or opponent).
  3. To devour; to eat up

Pronunciation

/dᵻˈmɒl.ɪʃ/ en-us-demolish.ogg

Word forms

demolish demolishes demolishing demolished

Etymology

Attested since the 16th century; from Middle French demoliss-, the stem of some conjugated forms of the verb demolir (“to destroy”, “to tear down”), from Latin dēmōlior (“to tear down”). Displaced native Old English tōweorpan (literally “to throw apart”).

Derived words

demo demolishable demolisher demolishment demolition redemolish undemolish undemolished
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