DESTROY - Definition & Meaning for Kids
Meaning 1
Part of speech: Verb
do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
Example: The fire destroyed the house
Categories: Unmake, Undo
Meaning 2
Part of speech: Verb
destroy completely; damage irreparably
Example: You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!; The tears ruined her make-up
Meaning 3
Part of speech: Verb
put (an animal) to death
Example: The customs agents destroyed the dog that was found to be rabid; the sick cat had to be put down
Categories: Kill
Synonyms
Destruct, Ruin, Destroy, Put down, Demolish
🌱 Word Origin (Etymology)
The word "destroy" comes from Latin dēstruō. It started in Vulgar Latin *destrugō. Then it appeared in Old French destruire. Later, people used it in Middle English destroyen.
🔗 Related Words
shend – A related word in the same word family.
🧩 Fun Fact
This word's path shows how empires, trade, and scholarship spread vocabulary across continents.