erase

verb

i-ˈrās How to pronounce erase (audio)
 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 noun
erasable adjective

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 Microsoft’s stock fell 1.7 percent, erasing billions from its market capitalization. Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 Since then, the charity has erased $5 million in medical debt for needy individuals people in need. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023 Developed by Brazilian playwright Augusto Boal, the practice aims to erase the lines between actor and audience, leveling the playing field and allowing all to commune over social and political truths. Selome Hailu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 Morgan Stanley, doing business as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, failed to decommission its computers and erase unencrypted data in certain computer devices that were later auctioned while still containing consumers’ personal information, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James. Denny Jacob, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023 Every year of work there erases one year of the debt covered by their award. Michelle Andrews, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023 The beach photos digitally erased Marilyn to leave only the varied coastlines in view. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 And there's a principle: Many Palestinians believe Israel's real goal is to drive them out of the Gaza Strip for good, pushing them into Egypt and erasing part of their homeland. NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023 And today, hundreds of Black churches have taken up this mantle to ensure that our history is not erased. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 6 Nov. 2023 See More

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of erase was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near erase

Cite this Entry

“Erase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erase. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

erase

verb
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 noun
erasable adjective

Legal Definition

erase

transitive verb
erased; erasing
: to seal and protect (criminal records) from disclosure

More from Merriam-Webster on erase

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