—ruin /ˈruː.ɪn/
noun
F0 [U] the process or state of being spoiled or destroyed:
» The car accident meant the ruin of all her hopes.» They let the palace fall into ruin.See picture: ruin 
Thesaurus+: ↑Damaging and spoiling , ↑Destroying and demolishing
C2 [U] a situation in which a person or company has lost all their money or their reputation:
» Many companies are on the edge/brink/verge of ruin.» Alcohol was my ruin (= the thing that spoiled my life)Thesaurus+: ↑Poverty and poorThesaurus+: ↑Humiliating and degradingB1 [C] the broken parts that are left from an old building or town:
» We visited a Roman ruin.» the ruins of the ancient city of CarthageThesaurus+: ↑Things remainingbe/lie in ruinsF0 (of a building or city) to be extremely badly damaged so that most of it has fallen down:
» The town lay in ruins after years of bombing.Thesaurus+: ↑In bad conditionC1 to be in an extremely bad state:
» The economy was in ruins after the war.Thesaurus+: ↑In bad conditionverb [T] ↑Verb Endings for ruin
B2 to spoil or destroy something severely or completely:
» Huge modern hotels have ruined this once unspoilt coastline.» Her injury ruined her chances of winning the race.Thesaurus+: ↑Destroying and demolishing , ↑Damaging and spoilingF0 to cause a person or company to lose all their money or their reputation:
» Cheap imported goods are ruining many businesses.» If there's a scandal I'll be ruined!Thesaurus+: ↑Destroying and demolishing , ↑Damaging and spoilingThesaurus+: ↑Damaging reputation , ↑Disapproving and criticizing• • •
Extra Examples:» A modern extension on the old building would ruin its architectural integrity.» The poor sound quality ruined an otherwise splendid film.» Lucy has just ruined her new dress. That's children for you.» I think the new extension ruins the proportions of the building.» If you scuff your feet like that, you'll ruin your shoes.