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  1. Dictionary
    decimation
    /ˌdɛsɪˈmeɪʃn/

    noun

    • 1. the killing or destruction of a large proportion of a group or species: "our growing hunger for fish has resulted in the decimation of fish stocks"
    • 2. the killing of one in every ten of a group of people as a punishment for the whole group (originally with reference to a mutinous Roman legion). historical

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  2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDECIMATION | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    DECIMATION definition: 1. the act of killing a something in large numbers, or reducing something severely: 2. the act of…. Learn more.

  3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decimationDecimation Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    1. : to select by lot and kill every tenth man of. decimate a regiment. 2. : to exact a tax of 10 percent from. poor as a decimated Cavalier John Dryden. 3. a. : to reduce drastically especially in number.

  4. www.dictionary.com › browse › decimationDECIMATION Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

    the act or practice of killing one-tenth of a population, as a punishment, to cull wild animals, or for other purposes: The Roman Empire used decimation, executing 1 in 10 people—ordinary citizens, slaves, or soldiers—to quell mutinies, riots, and other uprisings.

  5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDECIMATION | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

    DECIMATION meaning: 1. the act of killing a something in large numbers, or reducing something severely: 2. the act of…. Learn more.

  6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › decimationDecimation - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

    Decimation is the near-total destruction of a group, like the decimation of the candy bars that your brother was selling for school. Sorry, little brother! Decimation implies that nearly all of a population has been destroyed or killed.

  7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › decimationdecimation noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

    Definition of decimation noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

  8. www.thefreedictionary.com › decimationDecimation - definition of decimation by The Free Dictionary

    a. To inflict great destruction or damage on: The storm decimated the region. b. To reduce markedly in amount: a profligate heir who decimated his trust fund. 3. To select by lot and kill one in every ten of (a group of soldiers).

  9. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › decimationdecimation - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

    Jun 2, 2024 · Noun. [ edit] decimation ( countable and uncountable, plural decimations) ( Ancient Rome, strictly) The killing or punishment of every tenth person, usually by lot . Synonym: tithing. (generally) The killing or destruction of any large portion of a population . A tithe or the act of tithing.

  10. www.oed.com › dictionary › decimation_ndecimation, n. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English...

    What does the noun decimation mean? There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun decimation, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. decimation has developed meanings and uses in subjects including.

  11. www.yourdictionary.com › decimationDecimation Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    Decimation definition: The killing or destruction of a large portion of a population.