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

The two-time team captain pulls with ease, and is capable of erasing smaller defenders in his way. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024

If tennis is about playing within the lines, Challengers is about boundaries crossed, recrossed and finally erased altogether. —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024

More clutch moments from Curry got erased by disappointing sequences from his team. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2024

The platform itself would be erased from app stores, but there would be ways to work around the restriction, such as using a VPN or changing your location on your phone. —Abigail Beck, The Arizona Republic, 24 Apr. 2024

The guys volunteer to take turns getting flogged in this prisoner’s place, so the map isn’t erased. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024

He was erased on an Otto Lopez double play and Nick Fortes’ grounded out to end the frame. —Rick Farlow, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2024

Answer: Living in and owning a home for two of the previous five years does not erase someone’s capital gains exposure. —Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024

Then, Smith was seen holding up the device used in the movie to erase the memories of people who witness alien activities, in addition to wiping out the memories of agents ready to retire. —Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024

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

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