What does it mean to destroy a permanent in Magic: The Gathering?

To destroy a permanent in Magic: The Gathering means to move it from the battlefield to its owner's graveyard. This action falls under a specific game mechanic where "destroy" is a term defined in the rules of the game. When a permanent is destroyed, it does not get exiled or returned to its owner's hand; rather, it goes directly into the graveyard, representing its removal from game play but still being part of the game’s history.

The other options describe different game actions that do not involve the term "destroy." For example, returning a permanent to its owner's hand is a different action known as "bouncing," while exiling it means it is removed from the game entirely and placed in a separate zone. Sacrificing is also distinct; it means that the player chooses to put a permanent they control into their own graveyard for various reasons, which can be a voluntary or cost-based action rather than the result of a "destroy" effect. Therefore, the definition in the context of the game clearly supports the correct answer being that to destroy a permanent means to move it from the battlefield to its owner's graveyard.