English UsageComparison guide
Tear Down vs. Teardown
“Tear down” is a two-word phrasal verb meaning to demolish or dismantle. “Teardown” is a noun for the act or result of demolishing or taking something apart.
Use “tear down” as the verb and “teardown” as the noun.
Key details
Confusion Familyphrasal verb versus closed compound noun
Rule Familyword boundaries by grammatical role
Termstear down, teardown
Variant ScopeThe spaced form functions as a phrasal verb; the closed form is a noun in established uses.
Further guidance
Core difference
Verb: “They will tear down the building.” Noun: “The teardown starts Monday.”
Fast Test
If the expression follows an auxiliary such as “will” and names an action, use “tear down”; if it names the event or an object/project, use “teardown.”
Usage Boundary
Do not close the spelling merely because the words occur together; grammatical function determines the form.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- TEAR SOMETHING DOWN — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct evidence for tear down as a two-word phrasal verb meaning to demolish or dismantle.
- TEARDOWN — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct evidence for teardown as a noun for demolition or taking something apart.