Eliminate

/ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To completely remove, eradicate, or get rid of something.
The committee decided to eliminate unnecessary expenses from the budget.
To take out or remove from consideration.
The detective was able to eliminate several suspects from the investigation.
To defeat an opponent in a competition, thereby removing them from further participation.
Our team managed to eliminate the defending champions in the playoff match.
In mathematics, to remove variables or terms from an equation.
We can eliminate one variable by substituting its value into the other equation.

Etymology

from Latin 'eliminare', meaning 'to remove, expel, or shut out'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

eliminate competition
to remove rivals in a competitive environment.
eliminate waste
to reduce or remove unnecessary resources or materials.
eliminate the need for
to make something unnecessary.

Related Words

elimination
the act of removing or getting rid of something.
eliminatory
having the effect of eliminating.
eliminator
a person or thing that eliminates.

Slang Meanings

to take someone out of the picture permanently
He was eliminated from the conversation when they realized he was lying.
to fail someone deliberately
She was eliminated from the group because of her bad attitude.