Dilapidated describes a building or structure that has fallen into poor condition through neglect and age. A dilapidated barn might have holes in its roof, peeling paint, broken windows, and boards hanging loose from the walls. A dilapidated house might have sagging porches, crumbling bricks, and shutters barely attached to their hinges.

The word suggests a structure falling apart from lack of care and maintenance, not merely from age. An ancient castle carefully preserved by historians isn't dilapidated, but an abandoned farmhouse slowly collapsing under years of rain, wind, and neglect would be. A hundred-year-old home that's been lovingly maintained stays sturdy, while one left empty for decades with no repairs becomes dilapidated as damage accumulates.

You might read about explorers discovering a dilapidated mansion deep in the woods, or notice a dilapidated fence along an old country road. The word carries a sense of sadness: these structures were once sturdy and useful, but time and abandonment have taken their toll. When something becomes dilapidated, it's usually because no one has taken care of it in a long time.