elimination

noun

elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌli-mə-ˈnā-shən 

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

American Idol made history on Monday (March 30) when host Ryan Seacrest announced that no elimination would take place at the end of the season’s first live show — the first time in the competition’s history that a result could not be delivered on the night. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026

The plaintiffs also argue that MLB’s elimination of a centralized scouting bureau—where the league employed scouts, several of whom were older—reflected a directive to eliminate older scouts. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Mar. 2026

Only 22% of workers feel that their jobs are safe from elimination. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026

Or again, even the total elimination of the wage base. —Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing elimination

• process of elimination

Rhymes for elimination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

elimination

noun

elim·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌlim-ə-ˈnā-shən 

: 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 

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