purge

verb \ ˈpərj \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of purge

purged; purging

transitive verb

1 a : to clear of guilt

b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement

2 a : to cause evacuation from

purge the bowels

b (1) : to make free of something unwanted

purge a manhole of gas

purge yourself of fear

(2) : to free (something, such as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (something, such as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleeding

c (1) : to rid (a nation, a political party, etc.) by a purge

(2) : to get rid of

the leaders had been purged

intransitive verb

1 : to become purged

2 : to have or produce frequent evacuations

3 : to cause purgation

—

purger

noun

See purge defined for English-language learners

See purge defined for kids

Examples of purge in a Sentence

High-ranking officials were purged from the company following the merger.
a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting

Recent Examples of purge from the Web

North Korea's relations with China, a traditional ally and economic benefactor, had become strained following Kim's decision to purge several top-ranking officials with close ties to Beijing, including his uncle, Jang Song Thaek.

— ben westcott, CNN, "Chinese foreign minister praises North Korea during rare Pyongyang trip," 3 May 2018
In the lead-up to Zuckerberg’s testimony before Congress last week, Facebook would ultimately overhaul or purge a number of its data policies.

— daniel kolitz, The Atlantic, "Inside Facebook's Feel-Good Road Show," 20 Apr. 2018
The universe was simply purging its negative vibrations, finally preparing to shift into the fourth density.

— alden woods, azcentral, "Bentinho Massaro's Sedona Experiment: How the search for enlightenment led to a digital cult," 18 Apr. 2018
The app, which made its debut in 2011, initially attracted teens who wanted their own place in the universe to send everything from silly scribbles to salacious sexts, knowing that they would be purged within seconds.

— david yi, Harper's BAZAAR, "Your Updated Guide for Who to Follow on Snapchat," 2 Mar. 2017
Oliver would later be purged from the John Birch Society itself and become one of America’s leading white nationalist thinkers.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "National Review’s Own Struggle With “Ideological Diversity”," 6 Apr. 2018
Kim also purged several key officials with close ties to Beijing, including his uncle Jang Song Thaek, angering its chief patron.

— tim schwarz, CNN, "China fears Kim is moving out of its orbit as South Korea, US talks loom," 24 Apr. 2018
Many of the latter, including military top brass, have been purged.

— The Economist, "Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party is doing lasting damage," 21 Apr. 2018
President Carter famously purged his cabinet in ’79.

— olivia b. waxman, Time, "Walter Mondale on 50 Years of the Fair Housing Act and the Problem With Purging a President's Cabinet," 11 Apr. 2018

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

Did You Know?

In some cultures, a ritual bath or prayer is performed to purge guilt or evil spirits. The Minoans of ancient Crete may have used human sacrifice as a way of purging the entire community, which is fine for the community but rough on the victims. In many cultures, people periodically purge themselves physically—that is, clean out their digestive tracts—by taking strong laxatives; this used to be a popular springtime ritual, and herbal purgatives were readily available.

Origin and Etymology of purge

Middle English, from Anglo-French purger, from Latin purigare, purgare to purify, purge, from purus pure + -igare (akin to agere to drive, do) — more at act

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

purge Synonyms

purge

noun

Definition of purge

1 : something that purges; especially : purgative

2 a : an act or instance of purging

b : the removal of elements or members regarded as undesirable and especially as treacherous or disloyal

See purge defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of purge from the Web

The Nike executive purge continued this week with another five senior managers ousted as of Tuesday.

— jeff manning, OregonLive.com, "Nike purge continues -- five more managers out," 8 May 2018
Trump was furious as news reports described the expulsions as the largest purge in U.S. history and noted the wide gap between the United States and its allies.

— chicagotribune.com, "Trump, a reluctant hawk, has battled his top aides on Russia and lost," 16 Apr. 2018
Trump was furious as news reports described the expulsions as the largest purge in U.S. history and noted the wide gap between the United States and its allies.

— author: greg jaffe, john hudson, philip rucker, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump, a reluctant hawk, has battled his top aides on Russia and lost," 16 Apr. 2018
Trump was furious as news reports described the expulsions as the largest purge in U.S. history and noted the wide gap between the United States and its allies.

— john hudson, Washington Post, "Trump, a reluctant hawk, has battled his top aides on Russia and lost," 15 Apr. 2018
The purges have led to widespread criticism of the country's authoritarian president.

— NBC News, "Trial of U.S. pastor facing up to 35 years in prison set to start Monday in Turkey," 15 Apr. 2018
The Rohingya purge has effectively ended the momentum that many had hoped would help Ms. Suu Kyi turn Myanmar into a full democracy and bring the military under civilian control.

— niharika mandhana, WSJ, "A Murder Trial Rekindles Fears in Suu Kyi’s Myanmar," 12 Apr. 2018
Amid the mass purges that followed the 2016 coup attempt, Dogan newspapers have toed the government line even more closely.

— The Economist, "Turkey’s last big independent media firm is snapped up by a regime ally," 27 Mar. 2018
There were about 1,450 people still subject to the orders after last year's purge, according to a February court filing from the city attorney's office.

— CBS News, "Federal judge blocks Los Angeles from enforcing nearly all remaining gang injunctions," 16 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of purge

1593

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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PURGE Defined for English Language Learners

purge

verb

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

: to remove people from an area, country, organization, etc., often in a violent and sudden way
: to cause something to leave the body

purge

noun

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

: the often violent and sudden removal of people from an area, country, organization, etc.

PURGE Defined for Kids

purge

verb \ ˈpərj \

Definition of purge for Students

purged; purging

1 : to get rid of

Ineffective workers were purged from the company.

2 : to rid of unwanted things or people

The heir alone would be able to … purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic.
—J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets

purge

noun

Definition of purge for Students

1 : an act or instance of ridding of what is unwanted

2 : the removal of members thought to be treacherous or disloyal

a purge of party leaders

Medical Dictionary

purge

verb \ ˈpərj \

medical Definition of purge

purged; purging

transitive verb

1 : to cause evacuation from (as the bowels) or of or from the bowels of

drugs that purge the bowels

purged the patient with a cathartic

2 : to free (itself) of suspended matter usually by sedimentation —used of a liquid

intransitive verb

1 : to become purged

2 : to have or produce frequent evacuations

3 : to cause purgation

purge

noun

medical Definition of purge

1 : something that purges; especially : purgative

2 : an act or instance of purging

Law Dictionary

purge

transitive verb \ ˈpərj \

legal Definition of purge

purged; purging

1 : to clear (as oneself or another) of guilt

purged himself of contempt

2 : to become no longer guilty of

purge the contempt

Learn More about purge

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purge

Definition of purge

purger

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Origin and Etymology of purge

purge Synonyms

Synonyms

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purge

Definition of purge

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PURGE Defined for English Language Learners

purge

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

purge

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

PURGE Defined for Kids

purge

Definition of purge for Students

purge

Definition of purge for Students

Medical Dictionary

purge

medical Definition of purge

purge

medical Definition of purge

Law Dictionary

purge

legal Definition of purge

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