elimination

noun

elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌli-mə-ˈnā-shən 

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

The premiere episode featured an elimination challenge there, with Lynch and James Beard Award-winning chef Sean Brock of Nashville as guest judges. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026

Trump defended the elimination game formula of the show as critical for drama but was intrigued by my counterproposal and asked me to give him a year to figure it out and transition the show toward that model. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026

For both the European and intercontinental routes, the remaining teams have been sorted into single-elimination brackets that will determine qualification. —José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026

Sixth-place Roma beat visiting Lecce 1-0 to move level on points with Juventus and snap a five-match winless streak that included an elimination defeat to Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday. —ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing elimination

• process of elimination

Rhymes for elimination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

elimination

noun

elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌlim-ə-ˈnā-shən 

: 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 

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