What does decimate mean?
Decimate is a verb meaning to kill, destroy, or drastically reduce a large proportion of something — a population, an army, a species, an industry. It derives from the Latin decimare, referring to the harsh Roman military punishment in which one soldier in every ten was executed, usually by lot, as collective discipline for mutiny or cowardice. In modern English the word has broadened considerably: it no longer implies a precise tenth, but rather severe, widespread destruction affecting a substantial part of a whole. It is common in journalistic and formal writing, frequently appearing in phrases like 'decimated by disease' or 'the storm decimated the harvest.' Because of its violent historical origin, the word carries a strong connotation of devastation and loss. Some purists once objected to its loose modern use, but contemporary dictionaries accept it fully. Its root also appears in decimal and decibel, reflecting the Latin decem, meaning ten.
verbTo kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of something; historically, to kill one in every ten of a group of soldiers as a punishment.
- To kill, destroy, or drastically reduce a large proportion of a group or thing (modern dominant sense).
- Historical: to kill one in every ten of a group of soldiers, especially as a military punishment.
"The pandemic decimated the region's tourism industry, leaving many businesses struggling to survive."
"The invasive beetle species has decimated vast swathes of forest across the continent."
"The Roman general ordered that the rebellious cohort be decimated as a warning to the rest of the army."
In ancient Rome, if a legion mutinied, soldiers drew lots and every tenth man was beaten to death by his own comrades — that's where 'decimate' comes from.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of decimate
Decimate comes from the Latin decimare, meaning 'to take a tenth,' formed from decem ('ten') plus the verb-forming suffix -are. In ancient Rome it referred specifically to the practice of executing one in every ten soldiers in a unit guilty of mutiny or cowardice. The word entered English in the early 17th century, initially retaining this literal military sense before gradually acquiring its broader modern meaning of destroying a large proportion of something. It shares its Latin root with words such as decimal, decibel, and December (originally the tenth month of the Roman calendar).
How decimate is actually used
Strictly, some traditionalists argue 'decimate' should only mean to destroy one-tenth, but modern usage overwhelmingly treats it as meaning to destroy a large proportion — this prescriptive objection is now widely considered obsolete. The word carries a formal register and often appears in journalism and historical writing. It is typically used with collective or mass subjects (populations, industries, armies) rather than individual objects.
Easily confused with decimate
While both mean to destroy or cause great harm, 'decimate' traditionally implies destroying a significant portion (originally exactly one-tenth), whereas 'devastate' implies complete or near-complete destruction.