Use defenestration for the literal act of throwing a person or object out of a window.
Use defenestration for the literal act of throwing a person or object out of a window.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The defenestration of the vase was accidental. | The vase was defenestrated accidentally. |
| He defenestrated the window. | He threw the object out of the window. |
| She performed a defenestration on the cat. | She threw the cat out of the window. |
| Defenestrations are common in modern offices. | Throwing out windows is not common in modern offices. |
Use defenestration for a sudden, figurative removal or rejection of an idea, policy, or system.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The company's defenestration of the old policy was praised. | The company's rejection of the old policy was praised. |
| He defenestrated his feelings after the breakup. | He suppressed his feelings after the breakup. |
| Defenestrations in software refer to installing new updates. | Defenestrations in software refer to removing old components. |
| She defenestrated the meeting by arriving early. | She disrupted the meeting by arriving early. |
Use defenestration for the literal act of throwing something out of a window, and for the figurative sense of a sudden, forceful rejection of an idea or policy.
The term is often used as a verb, but the headword is a noun, leading to sentences like He defenestrated the window.
From Neo‑Latin de fenestra, meaning ‘out of a window’.
What does defenestration mean?
It is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window, and also a figurative term for a sudden rejection of an idea or policy.
Is defenestration a verb or a noun?
In English it is a noun; the verb form is defenestrate.
Where does defenestration come from?
It derives from Neo‑Latin de fenestra, literally ‘out of a window’.
Can defenestration be used figuratively?
Yes, it can describe the abrupt removal or rejection of an idea, policy, or system.
What is an example of literal defenestration?
The protester’s defenestration during the demonstration shocked onlookers.
What is an example of figurative defenestration?
The company’s defenestration of the old branding was announced yesterday.
Is defenestration common in everyday language?
It is uncommon and usually appears in historical or figurative contexts.
Are there any synonyms for defenestration?
For the literal sense synonyms include ejection, toss, throw, while for the figurative sense synonyms include rejection, dismissal, abolition.