decimate

[des-uh-meyt]

verb (used with object)

decimated, decimating 

1. to kill or destroy a great number or proportion of.

   The population was decimated by a plague.

2. to greatly reduce in number or amount.

   From 1975-1981, our country was not driving the space exploration agenda, and our aerospace workforce was decimated.

3. to cause to suffer great loss or harm.

   The constant eruptions that spewed forth decimated the forest and turned it to ash.

4. to select by lot and kill every tenth person of.

5. Obsolete.,  to take a tenth of or from.

decimate

/ ˈdɛsɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to destroy or kill a large proportion of

   a plague decimated the population

2. (esp in the ancient Roman army) to kill every tenth man of (a mutinous section)

Usage

One talks about the whole of something being decimated, not a part: disease decimated the population, not disease decimated most of the population

Other Word Forms

• decimation noun
• decimator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decimate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin decimātus, past participle of decimāre “to punish every tenth man chosen by lot,” verbal derivative of decimus “tenth,” derivative of decem “ten”; ten, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of decimate¹

C17: from Latin decimāre, from decimus tenth, from decem ten

Example Sentences

In January, crews struggled to contain a devastating firestorm that decimated portions of Altadena and the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

‘Regrow Altadena’ offers free plants to victims of the Eaton fire to help fill in yards decimated by the blaze but also to offer a small luxury as people rebuild.

From Los Angeles Times

The past decade has been a time of progress for child care advocates, as the state rebuilt a child care industry decimated by cuts during the Great Recession.

From Los Angeles Times

The people of Arizona “deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park,” Hobbs added.

From Los Angeles Times

While California’s forests are adapted for frequent, low-intensity fires that clear out the forest floors and promote regeneration, high-intensity flames can decimate ecosystems so much so that they may never recover.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annihilate 
• exterminate 
• obliterate 
• slaughter 
• wipe out