erased; erasing; erases
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
: to yield to erasure
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
The reported probe adds to a string of recent setbacks for the healthcare conglomerate that has erased more than half, or over $300 billion, from its market value since November, when shares were trading at record highs.
—
Sneha S.k, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Even so, the change in staffing of the longstanding skycap service erases yet another defining feature that has differentiated Southwest from its rivals, says airline industry expert Henry Harteveldt.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
The company in April also posted its first earnings miss since 2008, and the ensuing stock decline erased nearly $190 billion in market capitalization at the time.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Much like the overbuilding in the real estate sector that triggered a crisis and erased much of Chinese household wealth, excessive industrial capacity has deepened imbalances in the economy and raised questions about the model’s sustainability, particularly if broader conditions worsen.
—Li Yuan, New York Times, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for erase
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sneha S.k, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Even so, the change in staffing of the longstanding skycap service erases yet another defining feature that has differentiated Southwest from its rivals, says airline industry expert Henry Harteveldt.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
The company in April also posted its first earnings miss since 2008, and the ensuing stock decline erased nearly $190 billion in market capitalization at the time.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Much like the overbuilding in the real estate sector that triggered a crisis and erased much of Chinese household wealth, excessive industrial capacity has deepened imbalances in the economy and raised questions about the model’s sustainability, particularly if broader conditions worsen.
—Li Yuan, New York Times, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for erase
Cite this Entry
“Erase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erase. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share