: decayed, deteriorated, or fallen into partial ruin especially through neglect or misuse
a dilapidated old house
Did you know?
Something that is dilapidated may not have been literally pummeled with stones, but it might look that way. Dilapidated derives (via the English verb dilapidate) from dilapidatus, the past participle of the Latin verb dilapidare ("to squander or destroy"). That verb was formed by combining dis-, meaning "apart," with the verb lapidare, meaning "to pelt with stones." Other English descendants of lapidare include the verb lapidate ("to pelt or kill with stones") and the noun lapidary, which is used to refer to a person who cuts or polishes precious stones. Both words share as a root the Latin noun lapis, meaning "stone." We also find lapis in the name lapis lazuli, a bright blue semiprecious stone.
Recent Examples on the WebThe office buildings at the State Center were described as dilapidated and desperately needing repairs more than a decade ago. Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2022 The company, which has been responsible for 150 projects in 28 states, redeveloped a dilapidated steel mill in Baltimore, transformed McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento into an industrial park and revamped an IBM technology campus in Minnesota. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 The goal hung on a dilapidated barn on a dirt driveway. Dana Hunsinger Benbow, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2022 The goal hung on a dilapidated barn on a dirt driveway.The Indianapolis Star, 18 Aug. 2022 The condemnation order demands Black Spruce demolish the 900,000-square-foot building because it's dilapidated and a threat to public safety. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2022 Others already show the drip stains of inconsiderate coffee drinkers or have attracted dumping, with people leaving dilapidated bathroom cabinets and plastic bags full of empty wine bottles next to them. Olga R. Rodriguez, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022 As her lens captured the dilapidated exteriors that the desert seemed intent on swallowing, Bereket said she was left with a nagging curiosity about who would relinquish these time capsules in the remote, unincorporated community of Wonder Valley.Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 But when sections of the rickety ladder break off from the dilapidated tower, Becky and Hunter are left stranded. Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Aug. 2022 See More