expel

verb ex·pel \ ik-ˈspel \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of expel

expelled; expelling

1 : to force out : eject

expelled the smoke from her lungs

2 : to force to leave (a place, an organization, etc.) by official action : take away rights or privileges of membership

was expelled from college

—

expellable

play \ik-ˈspe-lə-bəl\ adjective

See expel defined for English-language learners

See expel defined for kids

Examples of expel in a Sentence

The club may expel members who do not follow the rules.
She was expelled from school for bad behavior.
expel air from the lungs

Recent Examples of expel from the Web

Iraq’s next leader faces challenges stemming from the ruinous occupation of the Islamic State and the nearly four-year war to expel the militant group.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Iraqis vote in first national election after toppling of Islamic State," 12 May 2018
Pack protective attire: Determine equipment and clothing based on what type of material your volcano is likely to expel, and your potential proximity to explosions, Lopes says.

— giannella m. garrett, chicagotribune.com, "When planning a hike on an active volcano, safety before spectacle," 11 May 2018
In early May, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to expel both Polanski and Bill Cosby from its membership ranks in accordance with the organization’s new standards of conduct.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Roman Polanski Thinks the #MeToo Movement Is Just “Mass Hysteria”," 9 May 2018
The Louisville product positioned himself as one of the top five playoff scorers in the league after a 38-point performance to expel the Oklahoma City Thunder from the postseason in the first round.

— Houston Chronicle, "Rookie Donovan Mitchell's playoff performance suggests bright future for Jazz," 8 May 2018
Shooter, a bombastic character known for his party-animal behavior, became the first state lawmaker in the country to be expelled in the wake of the national #MeToo movement.

— dustin gardiner, azcentral, "After a session rocked by #RedForEd and #MeToo, Arizona Legislature adjourns," 4 May 2018
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that puts on the Oscars, has voted to expel Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski from its membership.

— daniel arkin /, NBC News, "Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski expelled from the academy," 3 May 2018
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to expel Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski from membership, according to a statement shared by Kate Arthur of BuzzFeed News.

— constance grady, Vox, "The Academy has expelled convicted sex offenders Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski," 3 May 2018
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the group behind the Academy Awards, has voted to expel the actor and director from its membership, according to a statement from the organization which cited its conduct standards.

— chloe melas, CNN, "Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski expelled from the Academy," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

To expel is to drive out, and its usual noun is expulsion. Expel is similar to eject, but expel suggests pushing out while eject suggests throwing out. Also, ejecting may only be temporary: the player ejected from a game may be back tomorrow, but the student expelled from school is probably out forever.

Origin and Etymology of expel

Middle English expellen, from Latin expellere, from ex- + pellere to drive — more at felt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

expel Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of expel

eject, expel, oust, evict mean to drive or force out. eject carries an especially strong implication of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical action.

- ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar

expel stresses a thrusting out or driving away especially permanently which need not be physical.

- a student expelled from college

oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the law or by force or compulsion.

- police ousted the squatters

evict chiefly applies to turning out of house and home.

- evicted for nonpayment of rent

EXPEL Defined for English Language Learners

expel

verb

Definition of expel for English Language Learners

: to officially force (someone) to leave a place or organization
: to push or force (something) out

EXPEL Defined for Kids

expel

verb ex·pel \ ik-ˈspel \

Definition of expel for Students

expelled; expelling

1 : to force to leave

He was expelled from school.

2 : to force out

expel air from lungs

Word Root of expel

The Latin word pellere, meaning “to cause to move” or “to drive,” gives us the root pel. Words from the Latin pellere have something to do with driving or causing something to move. To propel is to drive forward. To compel is to drive someone to do something. To expel is to drive out. To repel is to drive back or away.