# destruct

/dɪˈstɹəkt/ (US) · /dɪstɹˈʌkt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/destruct
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

to destroy or break something completely. In programming, it often means to remove a file or a piece of data from a system.

For teachers: to destroy or cause the complete breakdown of something. In a technical or programming context, it refers to the removal or deletion of data, files, or objects from a system.

## Examples

- The virus can destruct all files on your hard drive.
- The developer wrote a script to destruct the temporary files after the application finishes running.
- The system is designed to automatically destruct sensitive data once the user logs out to prevent unauthorized access to private information.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.