erase

verb

i-ˈrās 

 British  -ˈrāz

erased; erasing; erases

transitive verb

1

a

: to rub or scrape out (something, such as written, painted, or engraved letters)

erase an error

b

: to remove written or drawn marks from

erase a blackboard

c

: to remove (recorded matter) from a magnetic medium (such as magnetic tape)

also : to remove recorded matter from

erase a hard drive

d

: to delete from computer storage

erase a file

2

a

: to remove from existence or memory as if by erasing

b

: to nullify the effect or force of

intransitive verb

: to yield to erasure

erasability

i-ˌrā-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

erasable

i-ˈrā-sə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• abolish
• annihilate
• black out
• blot out
• cancel
• clean (up)
• efface
• eradicate
• expunge
• exterminate
• extirpate
• liquidate
• obliterate
• root (out)
• rub out
• snuff (out)
• stamp (out)
• sweep (away)
• wipe out

Examples of erase in a Sentence

The recording can be erased and the tape used again.

Several important files were accidentally erased.

You can erase the tape and use it again.

She erased the wrong answer from her paper and filled in the correct one.

I erased the chalk marks from the blackboard.

Recent Examples on the Web

No amount of buzzwords or fuzzy talk erases that reality. —Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2024

The latest attempt to chip away at the amount owed for education means President Joe Biden has now erased a grand total of $153 billion in debt, impacting 4.3 million people. —Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024

Related article What happens when history is erased? —Leda Joy Abkenari, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

The proposal would reset their balances back to the initial balance by erasing up to $10,000 or $20,000 in interest, depending on a borrower's income. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Apr. 2024

Indeed, over the last two weeks, Yamamoto has erased much of that initial doubt. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Mikala Compton / American-Statesman via AP, Pool file But by May 17, when that warrant was issued, Armstrong’s social media had been erased, the warrant says. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024

Unfortunately for Miami, Philadelphia had the last meaningful run of the night, that 13-0 spurt that erased an eight-point Heat lead and put the 76ers ahead 107-102 with less than a minute remaining. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

On Tuesday, Marsh erased any lingering doubts against the Baltimore Orioles. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin erasus, past participle of eradere, from e- + radere to scratch, scrape — more at rodent

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing erase

• dry-erase board

Kids Definition

erase

verb

i-ˈrās 

erased; erasing

1

a

: to rub out (as something written)

b

: to remove written or drawn marks from

erase a chalkboard

c

: to remove recorded matter from

erase a videotape

d

: to delete from a computer storage device

erase a file

2

: to remove as if by erasing

erase an event from one's memory

erasability

-ˌrā-sə-ˈbil-ə-tē 

noun

erasable

-ˈrā-sə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

erase

transitive verb

erased; erasing

: to seal and protect (criminal records) from disclosure