What does razing mean?
Razing is the present participle of raze, meaning to demolish a building or structure completely or to destroy something in a similarly thorough way. It is especially common in reports about urban development, demolition, land clearance and the replacement of old buildings. The expression “razed to the ground” is particularly vivid: it evokes not merely damage or partial destruction, but the complete removal of a structure so that only its foundations or a cleared site remain. Figuratively, razing can describe eliminating something altogether, as when a policy or institution is “razed” during a major reform. Although the verb is not limited to buildings, its ordinary use is strongly associated with physical demolition. Razing can sound more formal and emphatic than “destroying,” making it especially effective in factual reporting and in descriptions of decisive, irreversible change.
verbTo destroy a building or structure completely, typically by demolishing it. It can also mean to destroy or eliminate something completely.
- To demolish a building or other structure completely, especially as part of a redevelopment or clearance project.
- To destroy or eliminate something completely, often figuratively.
- To raze to the ground: to demolish a structure completely.
"The old factory was razed to make way for a public park."
"The city council approved razing the vacant warehouse."
"The storm left the old barn in such poor condition that it was razed to the ground."
To raze a structure is to erase it from the landscape, leaving little more than its footprint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does razing come from?
The word comes from “raze,” a chiefly North American spelling of “rase.” The older form derives from Old French raser, meaning to scrape or erase, which was borrowed from Latin radere, “to scrape.” The same Latin root also lies behind words such as erase, razor and radish, though their later sound changes and semantic developments make them less immediately recognizable relatives.
Related word forms
How razing is actually used
The form is most often used in journalism, planning and development contexts. It is slightly more formal than the shorter verb form, and it commonly describes the deliberate demolition of buildings or sites.
Easily confused with razing
Razing means destroying a structure completely, whereas raising means lifting something or causing it to stand upright.
Razing refers to demolition or complete destruction, whereas praising means expressing approval.