erasure

noun

era·​sure i-ˈrā-shər How to pronounce erasure (audio)
 also  -zhər
: an act or instance of erasing

Examples of erasure in a Sentence

accidental erasure of the tape There were many errors and erasures in the typescript.
Recent Examples on the Web In recent years, more public attention and awareness has emerged surrounding Black cemeteries and their erasure. Gerard Albert, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 The film is a fascinating portrait of a woman who was brave enough to tackle misogyny head on and paid a dear price for it, including her erasure from popular history. The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 In response to the erasure and negative imaging of Black fathers in the media, Black fatherhood platforms have emerged across social media and other parts of the internet. Shayla Brown, Parents, 20 Feb. 2024 The result has been, because of that erasure, because of not giving them the ethnic rights the Indigenous population was able to obtain, the Black population has never gotten their own funding or their department or policies in place. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2024 Yet, cultural appropriation, the erasure of Black history from schools, and the marginalization of Black voices persist, highlighting the need for greater representation, inclusivity, and equity in cultural spaces and narratives. Melissa Noel, Essence, 24 Feb. 2024 Now, after displacement and erasure, and thanks to the collaborative efforts between the National Park Service and the Chickasaw Nation, this treasured land once again honors its healing past. Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2023 Critics argued that overlooking Domingo, a Black actor whose father is from Belize and whose family is from Guatemala, was yet another egregious example of Afro Latino erasure. Jp Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Disclosures mount, illuminating earlier erasures related to Sun’s parents, and to her early adulthood. Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erasure.' 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

1734, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of erasure was in 1734

Dictionary Entries Near erasure

Cite this Entry

“Erasure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erasure. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

erasure

noun
era·​sure i-ˈrā-shər How to pronounce erasure (audio)
 also  -zhər
: an act or instance of erasing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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