To pulverize means to crush or grind something into powder or tiny pieces. When you pulverize something, you break it down so completely that it becomes dust or very fine particles.

A chef might pulverize peppercorns in a grinder to make fresh ground pepper. A construction crew might pulverize old concrete before removing it from a job site. In your kitchen, a blender pulverizes ice cubes into smooth frozen drinks, and a food processor can pulverize nuts into flour for baking.

Scientists pulverize rock samples to study their mineral content. Volcanic eruptions can pulverize stone into ash that travels hundreds of miles through the air.

People also use pulverize figuratively to describe total defeat. A basketball team that wins 98 to 45 didn't just beat their opponents, they pulverized them. When someone says a debate team pulverized their competition, they mean the victory was absolutely overwhelming, crushing any opposition like a hammer crushing rock into powder.