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# destruction

noun (destruction; usually no plural)

«destruction» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Destruction is the act of destroying something so badly that it is ruined or no longer exists. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#m1)
2. The damage left after a storm, fire, war or accident. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#m2)
3. (formal) The ruin of someone's hopes, health or life. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#m3)

### In the lessons

Used in news, history, science (storms, volcanoes, floods) and stories. Phrases: «a path of destruction», «mass destruction», «the destruction of the rainforest», «cause destruction». It tells the reader that something was badly broken or wiped out.

### Examples

- The tornado left a path of destruction across the town. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x1)
- The destruction of rainforests harms many animals. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x2)
- Firefighters tried to stop the destruction of the old barn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x3)
- The puppy caused total destruction in the living room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x4)
- Volcanoes can bring great destruction to nearby villages. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x5)
- The film showed the destruction of the ancient city. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x6)
- Pollution leads to the destruction of coral reefs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x7)
- Keep it, it has only led to his destruction. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/#x8)

### Note

Uncountable noun: «the destruction», not «a destruction». Verb: destroy (destroy, destroys, destroyed, destroying); adjective: destructive. Opposite: construction, creation. Not the same as «damage»: damage can be small, destruction is usually very big.

## In Jewish tradition

Means ruin that comes on nations such as Amalek and Asshur as an end foretold by Balaam, or a punishment sent by God.

**Interpretation.** Tradition sees Amalek's end as the fate of a people who attacked Israel without cause, and remembers Amalek each year before Purim.

### Examples

- But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, and they shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall come to destruction. (Torah NUM.24.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/destruction/#x1)
- And he looked on Amalek, and took up his parable, and said: Amalek was the first of the nations; but his end shall come to destruction. (Torah NUM.24.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/destruction/#x2)
- The wasting of hunger, and the devouring of the fiery bolt, and bitter destruction; and the teeth of beasts will I send upon them, with the venom of crawling things of the dust. (Torah DEU.32.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/destruction/#x3)
- Hark! a cry from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction! (Prophets JER.48.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/destruction/#x4)
- Hark! battle is in the land, and great destruction. (Prophets JER.50.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/destruction/#x5)
- Thy tongue deviseth destruction; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. (Writings PSA.52.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/destruction/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable noun: «the destruction», not «a destruction». Verb: destroy (destroy, destroys, destroyed, destroying); adjective: destructive. Opposite: construction, creation. Not the same as «damage»: damage can be small, destruction is usually very big.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «destruction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/destruction/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«destruction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/destruction.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «destruction» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/destruction/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«destruction» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/destruction.html) on Mova free.