Word
annihilation
Phoneticsan·ni·hi·la·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/əˌnaɪəˈɫeɪʃən/
UK/ɐnˌaɪəlˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the total destruction of something so that nothing is left. In science, it happens when two tiny pieces of matter hit each other and turn into energy.
n. the complete destruction or obliteration of an object or entity. In particle physics, refers to the conversion of matter into energy when a particle and its corresponding antiparticle collide.
Examples
“The forest fire led to the total annihilation of the local habitat.”
“During the war, both sides feared that the use of nuclear weapons would lead to mutual annihilation.”
“In high-energy physics, the annihilation of an electron and a positron results in the emission of two gamma-ray photons, demonstrating the equivalence of mass and energy.”
Examples
simple
“The forest fire led to the total annihilation of the local habitat.”
contextual
“During the war, both sides feared that the use of nuclear weapons would lead to mutual annihilation.”
complex
“In high-energy physics, the annihilation of an electron and a positron results in the emission of two gamma-ray photons, demonstrating the equivalence of mass and energy.”
Usage
Often used in the abstract sense of total defeat or destruction; frequently paired with 'mutual' or 'total'.
Real-World Examples
“BaBar created Y(2175) by colliding negatively charged electrons (e-) with their positively charged antimatter counterparts, positrons (e+), through a process known as e+e- annihilation.” “Hal’s ring throws a giant green bubble around him just as the alien detonates and Hal saves the town from annihilation.” Etymology
From Middle French annihilation, from Latin annihilātiō. By surface analysis, annihilate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/annihilation