If something or someone lays waste an area or town or lays waste to it, they completely destroy it.

What does laid to waste mean?

: to cause very bad damage to (something) The fire laid waste to the land.

How do you use lay waste?

Ravage, ruin, as in The hurricane laid waste the entire seashore. Originally referring to the devastation caused by attackers, this term has come to be used more generally.