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

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

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

• 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