clean out
phrasal verb
cleaned out; cleaning out; cleans out
1
: to remove unwanted things from (a room, closet, etc.)
We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage.
2
informal
: to steal or take everything from (someone or something)
The thieves broke in and cleaned out the store.
3
informal
: to use up all or most of the money of (someone)
Buying the house really cleaned us out. Now we're broke.
Examples of clean out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashley Oxendine, who began his poultry career cleaning out chicken houses, now owns 20 of his own in western Robeson County, southeast of Laurinburg.
—
Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
How To Get Started Merry understands the myriad of reasons that can make cleaning out an attic more than just a chore.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
For the next eight months, Isabella was in and out of the hospital and underwent two follow-up surgeries to clean out an infection around the surgical site and replace part of her skull with a titanium mesh plate.
—Liz McNeil, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
The Vietnamese New Year, also known as Tet, focuses on cleaning out the house.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clean out 
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.
Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
How To Get Started Merry understands the myriad of reasons that can make cleaning out an attic more than just a chore.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
For the next eight months, Isabella was in and out of the hospital and underwent two follow-up surgeries to clean out an infection around the surgical site and replace part of her skull with a titanium mesh plate.
—Liz McNeil, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
The Vietnamese New Year, also known as Tet, focuses on cleaning out the house.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clean out
Dictionary Entries Near clean out
Cite this Entry
“Clean out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean%20out. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share