elimination

noun

elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌli-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce elimination (audio)
Synonyms of eliminationnext
often attributive
: the act, process, or an instance of eliminating or discharging: such as
a
: the act of discharging or excreting waste products from the body
b
: the removal from a molecule of the constituents of a simpler molecule
ethylene is formed by the elimination of water from ethanol
compare addition sense 4

Examples of elimination in a Sentence

the elimination of waste products from the body
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.
Introduced in 2013 to amp up the drama at the end of the season, drivers and fans found the elimination-style postseason a bit too unpredictable, with the year’s top car on a season-long basis not winning the trophy since 2021. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Violations marked as priority contribute directly to the elimination, prevention or reduction in the hazards associated with foodborne illness. — Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2026 The dozen bus routes slated for elimination this fall to save about $9 million. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 The reduction correlates to the elimination of FDA support staff roles, or personnel who booked travel and carried out food testing for contamination, creating an administrative slowdown to efficiently carry out key safety and inspection protocol. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elimination

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elimination was circa 1631

Phrases Containing elimination

Rhymes for elimination

See All Rhymes for elimination

Browse Nearby Words

eliminate
elimination
eliminator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elimination. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

elimination

noun
elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌlim-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce elimination (audio)
: the act or process of eliminating or emptying: as
a
: the act of excreting or emptying waste products from the body
b
: the act or process of excluding from a match, game, or contest the losers of any round or heat

Medical Definition

elimination

noun
elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌlim-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce elimination (audio)
1
: the act of discharging or excreting waste products or foreign substances from the body
2
eliminations plural : bodily discharges including urine, feces, and vomit
3
: the removal from a molecule of the constituents of a simpler molecule
ethylene is formed by the elimination of water from ethanol

More from Merriam-Webster on elimination

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for elimination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elimination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All