Definition of erase
erased
;erasing
transitive verb
1a : to rub or scrape out (something, such as written, painted, or engraved letters) erase an errorb : to remove written or drawn marks from erase a blackboardc : to remove (recorded matter) from a magnetic medium; also : to remove recorded matter from erase a videotaped : to delete from a computer storage device erase a file
2a : to remove from existence or memory as if by erasingb : to nullify the effect or force of
intransitive verb
: to yield to erasure
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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 of erase from the Web
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Democrats on the committee expressed fear that the report would be buried — or worse, that electronic copies would be erased and hard copies destroyed.
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The Padres wasted little time in erasing the deficit.
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Montville erased a late six-run deficit to beat St. Joseph's-Trumbull 7-6 in nine innings in the state Class M semifinals.
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Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah want to erase Obama insurance coverage requirements.
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Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah want to erase Obama insurance coverage requirements.
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Yet the loss was quickly erased and the S&P 500 rose seven straight days to reach record highs.
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About 5.5 million people 65 years and older have the disease - a wretched and fatal form of dementia that erases memories and ultimately can destroy mental and physical capacity.
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Linda Sagan's initial drawing including a line depicting a woman's vulva, which was erased by NASA higher-ups (the woman has no genitalia).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'erase'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of erase
Latin erasus, past participle of eradere, from e- + radere to scratch, scrape — more at rodent
First Known Use: 1605
ERASE Defined for English Language Learners
erase
playDefinition of erase for English Language Learners
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: to remove (something that has been recorded) from a tape (such as a videotape or audiotape) or a computer disk; also : to remove recorded material from (a tape or disk)
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: to remove (something written) by rubbing or scraping so that it can no longer be seen
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: to remove something written from (a surface)
ERASE Defined for Kids
erase
playDefinition of erase for Students
erased
;erasing
1 : to cause to disappear by rubbing or scraping erase a chalk mark
2 : to remove marks from erase a chalkboard
3 : to remove recorded matter from erase a CD
eraser
\i-ˈrā-sər\ nounLaw Dictionary
erase
Legal Definition of erase
erased
erasing
: to seal and protect (criminal records) from disclosure
Learn More about erase
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See words that rhyme with erase Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for erase Spanish Central: Translation of erase Nglish: Translation of erase for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of erase for Arabic speakers
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