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elimination

noun, often attributive elim·i·na·tion \ i-ˌli-mə-ˈnā-shən \
|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of elimination

: 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 4

See elimination defined for English-language learners

See elimination defined for kids

Examples of elimination in a Sentence

  1. the elimination of waste products from the body

Recent Examples of elimination from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elimination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of elimination

1627

in the meaning defined above

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Phrases Related to ELIMINATION

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ELIMINATION Defined for English Language Learners

elimination

noun

Definition of elimination for English Language Learners

  • : the act or process of removing something or someone

ELIMINATION Defined for Kids

elimination

noun elim·i·na·tion \ i-ˌli-mə-ˈnā-shən \

Definition of elimination for Students

1 : the act or process of excluding or getting rid of
2 : a getting rid of waste from the body

Medical Dictionary

elimination

noun elim·i·na·tion \ i-ˌlim-ə-ˈnā-shən \

medical Definition of elimination

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

Learn More about elimination

  1. See words that rhyme with elimination Spanish Central: Translation of elimination Nglish: Translation of elimination for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of elimination for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elimination

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