decimation
C1/C2Formal, academic, historical, journalistic (when used for dramatic effect).
Definition
Meaning
The act of killing or destroying a large proportion of a group; historically, the killing of every tenth person in a group as a punishment.
Severe reduction or devastation, often used metaphorically to describe significant damage, loss, or defeat, such as in finance, sports, or ecology.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally a precise Roman military punishment; now primarily used as a powerful metaphor for severe reduction. Often implies an indiscriminate or systematic culling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slightly more common in British historical/academic contexts referencing Roman history.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of brutality, systematic destruction, and historical severity in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday speech; appears in formal writing, news reports on disasters, and historical texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The/Subject] + [verb] + decimation + of + [object][Decimation] + of + [object] + [verb][Verb] + decimationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Decimate the ranks”
- “Decimate the opposition”
- “A decimating blow”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new regulations caused a decimation of the small business sector in the region.
Academic
The study focused on the decimation of native bird populations following the introduction of invasive species.
Everyday
The flu outbreak led to a decimation of our holiday plans. (metaphorical, informal)
Technical
The pesticide application resulted in the decimation of non-target insect populations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The regiment was decimated by disease during the campaign.
- Budget cuts have decimated local library services.
American English
- The tornado decimated the small town.
- The new policy threatens to decimate the industry.
adjective
British English
- The decimated battalion retreated.
- They surveyed the decimated landscape after the fire.
American English
- The decimated workforce struggled to cope.
- He inherited a decimated portfolio.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The storm decimated the village. (simple cause-effect)
- The disease decimated the population, leaving few survivors.
- Financial scandals led to the decimation of the company's reputation.
- The policy had the unintended consequence of decimating the very communities it was designed to help.
- Historians debate whether the conquest amounted to genocide or 'mere' decimation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DECImation' – it comes from the Latin for 'one in TEN' (decem). It originally meant killing one in ten.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GROUP IS A BODY / A SET OF PEOPLE; TO SEVERELY REDUCE IS TO MUTILATE/KILL THE BODY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'децимация' (исторический термин, прямой заимствованный эквивалент). В современном английском значение шире и чаще метафорическое.
- Не переводить как 'децимация' в бытовых контекстах (например, 'decimation of our plans'), это будет звучать неестественно. Лучше 'полный крах' или 'разгром'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'decimate' to mean 'destroy completely' (a common usage debate; purists argue it should imply a large proportion, not 100%).
- Misspelling as 'desimation'.
- Using it for trivial reductions (e.g., 'The boss decimated my report' – too strong).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate use of 'decimation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Historically, it meant to kill 10%. In modern usage, it means to destroy or remove a large, significant, or devastating proportion, but not necessarily a specific percentage.
It is a common and widely accepted figurative extension, though some style guides and linguistic purists prefer it retain its sense of 'large proportion' rather than 'total destruction'.
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically for finances, reputations, plans, ecosystems, etc. (e.g., 'the decimation of the budget', 'the decimation of their hopes').
'Decimate' typically implies a severe but not necessarily total reduction of a group or resource. 'Annihilate' suggests complete destruction or obliteration, leaving nothing.