# dismantling

/ˌdɪsˈmæntɫɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪsmˈɑːntlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dismantling
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the act of taking something apart piece by piece, or slowly ending a system or organization.

For teachers: the process of taking a machine or structure apart; the systematic deconstruction of an organization or policy.

## Examples

- The dismantling of the old factory took several months.
- The government faced criticism for the rapid dismantling of the public healthcare system during the crisis.
- The dismantling of the nuclear reactor required specialized equipment and strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent environmental contamination.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the object being taken apart.

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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.
