is the tearing-down of buildings and other structures. Demolition or destruction also describe a punitive process or criminal act by which authorities or other actors destroy the homes and other structures against the will of their owners without due process of law, resulting in losses, costs and damages. Such a violation can be an isolated incident or carried out on a grand scale, as in the case of wanton destruction that constitutes a war crime. [See War crime.]

Demolition contrasts with deconstruction, which involves dismantling a building, while carefully preserving valuable elements for reuse.