1. the state or process of falling into decay or being in disrepair: "the mill was in a state of dilapidation"
▪ repairs required during or at the end of a tenancy or lease.
▪ a cause of action to force a tenant to pay for dilapidations.
▪ (in church use) a sum charged against an incumbent for wear and tear during a tenancy.
Word Originlate Middle English (also in the sense ‘squandering, waste’): from late Latin dilapidatio(n-), from Latin dilapidare ‘demolish, squander’ (see dilapidate).