elimination

noun

elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌli-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce elimination (audio)
often attributive
: the act, process, or an instance of eliminating or discharging: such as
a
: the act of discharging or excreting waste products from the body
b
: the removal from a molecule of the constituents of a simpler molecule
ethylene is formed by the elimination of water from ethanol
compare addition sense 4

Examples of elimination in a Sentence

the elimination of waste products from the body
Recent Examples on the Web Today, good mental health means something like the elimination of both passion and reason. Lauren Oyler, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2024 The most recent eliminations were announced at Rivian, Sony, and Bumble, among others. Laura Bratton, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 How To Avoid Phthalate Exposure During Pregnancy Phthalates are so widely used in today’s society making total elimination nearly impossible. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 The elimination of requirements to report emissions produced up and down the value chain certainly helped reduce the risk of litigation by addressing the opposition from some corporate opponents. David Gelles, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Pluses include outstanding thermal stability and safety, and the elimination of toxic and expensive lithium, cobalt, copper, or nickel. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2024 Reconstruction of the Colerain and Beekman interchange, with a new ramp from Beekman to westbound I-74 and elimination of ramps from I-74 to Spring Grove, with a $13.3 million price tag. The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024 Nobody would want to go into elimination like that. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2024 Occasionally, policymakers do make a splash proposing worthy departmental eliminations. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elimination was in 1627

Dictionary Entries Near elimination

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

elimination

noun
elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌlim-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce elimination (audio)
: the act or process of eliminating or emptying: as
a
: the act of excreting or emptying waste products from the body
b
: the act or process of excluding from a match, game, or contest the losers of any round or heat

Medical Definition

elimination

noun
elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌlim-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce elimination (audio)
1
: the act of discharging or excreting waste products or foreign substances from the body
2
eliminations plural : bodily discharges including urine, feces, and vomit
3
: the removal from a molecule of the constituents of a simpler molecule
ethylene is formed by the elimination of water from ethanol
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!