Words / B1

di-STRUKSHUN/dɪˈstrʌkʃn/

Destruction is severe damage that ruins something (usually uncountable): destruction of habitats; widespread destruction. Destroy is the verb (already in the dictionary). Damage can be milder and repairable. Do not write “a destruction” for every event — a wave of destruction or the destruction of is neater. Storms and war reporting.

Meaning

The act of damaging something so badly that it cannot be used (uncountable).

Examples

• “Storms caused widespread destruction along the coast.”
• “The destruction of records made the inquiry slower.”

Good to know

Uncountable: destruction; the destruction of. Verb: destroy. Milder: damage. Not always “a destruction”. News: widespread destruction.

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