erase

verb

i-ˈrās How to pronounce erase (audio)
British -ˈrāz
erased; erasing; erases
Synonyms of erasenext

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 How to pronounce erase (audio)
noun
erasable
i-ˈrā-sə-bəl How to pronounce erase (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of erase

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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
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.
Over the past few years, Williams has sought to erase Hugo from one of the greatest hip-hip duos of all time. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026 His apprehension turned into anger when the city’s Department of Transportation erased the DIY crosswalks two months later. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Since their inception, smart glasses have struggled to erase their reputation as a privacy concern. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Musk effectively erased that trade-off, supplying enough money to build a dedicated financial firewall around Paxton without forcing the party to pull resources from other battlegrounds. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erase

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of erase was in 1605

Phrases Containing erase

Rhymes for erase

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Browse Nearby Words

erasable
erase
erase head
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Erase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erase. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

erase

verb
i-ˈrās How to pronounce erase (audio)
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 How to pronounce erase (audio)
noun
erasable
-ˈrā-sə-bəl How to pronounce erase (audio)
adjective

Legal Definition

erase

transitive verb
erased; erasing
: to seal and protect (criminal records) from disclosure
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