Meaning & use

dilapidation

noun·Advanced

The state of being in disrepair or ruin, usually because of age or neglect.

See it in a sentence

The old mansion had fallen into such dilapidation that no one dared enter it.

Years of dilapidation had left the bridge unsafe for heavy vehicles.

A note on using this word

Dilapidation usually describes buildings or structures, rather than people or living things, which more often 'deteriorate' or 'decline.'

Words with a similar meaning

disrepairdecayruin

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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