Ruin

From Middle English ruine, from Old French ruine, from Latin ruÄ«na ("overthrow, ruin"), from ruÅ ("I fall down, tumble, sink in ruin, rush").

Full definition of ruin

(plural ruins)

(countable, sometimes in the plural) The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.

AddisonThe Veian and the Gabian towers shall fall,
And one promiscuous ruin cover all;
Nor, after length of years, a stone betray
The place where once the very ruins lay.
BuckminsterThe labour of a day will not build up a virtuous habit on the ruins of an old and vicious character.
1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter Foreword, A canister of flour from the kitchen had been thrown at the looking-glass and lay like trampled snow over the remains of a decent blue suit with the lining ripped out which lay on top of the ruin of a plastic wardrobe.

(uncountable) The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.
The monastery has fallen into ruin.
(uncountable) Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.
Gambling has been the ruin of many.

A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow.the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of a constitution or a government; the ruin of health or hopes

1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, In one way, indeed, he bade fair to ruin us; for he kept on staying week after week, and at last month after month, so that all the money had been long exhausted...

To destroy or make something no longer usable.He ruined his new white slacks by accidentally spilling oil on them.

LongfellowBy the fireside there are old men seated,
Seeling ruined cities in the ashes.

To upset or mess up the plans or progress of, or to put into disarray; to spoil.My car breaking down just as I was on the road ruined my vacation.