verb (used with object)
- to destroy or ruin (a building or other structure), especially on purpose; tear down; raze.
- to put an end to; destroy; explode: The results of his research demolished many theories.
- to lay waste to; ruin utterly: The fire demolished the area.
- Informal. to devour completely: We simply demolished that turkey.
verb (tr)
- to tear down or break up (buildings, etc)
- to destroy; put an end to (an argument, etc)
- facetious to eat upshe demolished the whole cake!
1560s, from Middle French demoliss-, present participle stem of démolir “to destroy, tear down” (late 14c.), from Latin demoliri “tear down,” from de- “down” (see de-) + moliri “build, construct,” from moles (genitive molis) “massive structure” (see mole (n.3)). Related: Demolished; demolishing.