eliminated; eliminating

transitive verb

1
a
: to put an end to or get rid of : remove
eliminate errors
b
: to remove from consideration
eliminate someone as a suspect
c
: to remove from further competition by defeating
the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs
2
: to expel (waste) from the living body
3
mathematics : to cause to disappear by combining two or more equations
eliminate an unknown quantity

intransitive verb

: to expel waste from the living body

Examples of eliminate in a Sentence

Doctors seek to eliminate the causes of the epidemic. The body naturally eliminates waste products. The company plans to eliminate more than 2,000 jobs in the coming year. She's trying to eliminate fatty foods from her diet.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Trump Administration had urged Canada to pause or eliminate the tax, which applies to any tech company making more than $15 million from Canadian internet users. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 June 2025 However, Charlie demonstrates an unexpected capacity for lethal action, using his intelligence and computer skills to orchestrate elaborate and unconventional methods of eliminating his enemies. Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Wogan said Blue Island is about 18 months behind communities such as Evergreen Park in eliminating lead lines. Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 That’s not going to eliminate the nest, and ants may return when the chemical residue has diminished. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for eliminate

Word History

Etymology

Latin eliminatus, past participle of eliminare, from e- + limin-, limen threshold

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of eliminate was in 1628

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eliminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eliminate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

eliminate

verb
eliminated; eliminating
1
a
: to get rid of : remove
b
: to remove from further competition by defeating
2
: to expel from the living body

Medical Definition

eliminate

transitive verb
eliminated; eliminating
: to expel (as waste) from the living body

More from Merriam-Webster on eliminate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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