Definition of "decimate" [dec•i•mate]

• To destroy or kill a large part of (a group). (verb-transitive)
• Usage Problem To inflict great destruction or damage on: The fawns decimated my rose bushes. (verb-transitive)
• Usage Problem To reduce markedly in amount: a profligate heir who decimated his trust fund. (verb-transitive)
• To select by lot and kill one in every ten of. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "I always flinch when I hear someone use the word decimate to mean "wipe out," as in, "The Sioux deci­mated Custer's men.""
• "The word decimate does not begin to do justice to the tragedy that has befallen the Polish nation."
• "She said it would "decimate" the agriculture sector, where illegal workers fill 75% of the jobs."