eliminate

verb

elim·​i·​nate i-ˈli-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
eliminated; eliminating

transitive verb

1
a
: to put an end to or get rid of : remove
eliminate errors
b
: to remove from consideration
eliminate someone as a suspect
c
: to remove from further competition by defeating
the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs
2
: to expel (waste) from the living body
3
mathematics : to cause to disappear by combining two or more equations
eliminate an unknown quantity

intransitive verb

: to expel waste from the living body
eliminative adjective
eliminator noun

Examples of eliminate in a Sentence

Doctors seek to eliminate the causes of the epidemic. The body naturally eliminates waste products. The company plans to eliminate more than 2,000 jobs in the coming year. She's trying to eliminate fatty foods from her diet.
Recent Examples on the Web The law is one of many efforts nationally to eliminate legacy preferences in admissions. Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The 172-page Senate Bill 256 in its current form also contains language eliminating the sales tax on tampons and giving more money to families caring for children with medically complex conditions. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Because while Mills and the Spurs ended the Heat’s season in the 2014 Finals, the Heat eliminated the Spurs in the 2013 Finals. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 These people should also notify their local health department, which can identify and remove lead sources in their environment to eliminate the risk to both current and future residents. Aaron Specht, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 Promote limited-government and pro-growth policies that eliminate red tape and reduce tax burdens. Carlos Curbelo, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 The picture sharpened for the Aztecs with Tuesday’s loss, eliminating them from the title race as well as the top three seeds in the conference tournament. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 The White House Council of Economic Advisers produced an analysis indicating that the Biden administration's efforts overall will eliminate $20 billion in annual junk fees. CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 This Week Moreover, there are already states initiating legislation that would require student-athletes to be paid for their services by the school, eliminating the NCAA’s pay-for-play prohibition. Leonard Armato, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eliminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin eliminatus, past participle of eliminare, from e- + limin-, limen threshold

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of eliminate was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near eliminate

Cite this Entry

“Eliminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eliminate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eliminate

verb
elim·​i·​nate i-ˈlim-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
eliminated; eliminating
1
a
: to get rid of : remove
b
: to remove from further competition by defeating
2
: to expel from the living body
eliminative adjective
eliminator noun

Medical Definition

eliminate

transitive verb
elim·​i·​nate -ˌnāt How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
eliminated; eliminating
: to expel (as waste) from the living body

More from Merriam-Webster on eliminate

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