/ dɪˈmɒlɪʃ; NAmE -ˈmɑːl-/ verb [ vn ]
1.
to pull or knock down a building :
The factory is due to be demolished next year.
2.
to destroy sth accidentally :
The car had skidded across the road and demolished part of the wall.
3.
to show that an idea or theory is completely wrong :
A recent book has demolished this theory.
4.
to defeat sb easily and completely :
They demolished New Zealand 22–6 in the final.
5.
( BrE , informal ) to eat sth very quickly :
The children demolished their burgers and chips.
► demo·li·tion / ˌdeməˈlɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , C ]:
The whole row of houses is scheduled for demolition.
His speech did a very effective demolition job on the government's proposals.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from French démoliss- , lengthened stem of démolir , from Latin demoliri , from de- (expressing reversal) + moliri construct (from moles mass).