erased; erasing; erases
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
: to yield to erasure
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
Right behind was Rory McIlroy, who tried to erase from his memory that sloppy finish in the first round and roared into contention to put the career Grand Slam back into view.
—
Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
In China, a wide swath of suppliers are likely to see their already narrow margins completely erased, with a new wave of efforts to establish factories in other countries set to begin.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Wednesday’s committee votes came as city leaders, looking to erase the massive budget shortfall, are weighing whether to eliminate thousands of city jobs.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Barnes left the game with the Raptors up by nine, and the Magic needed seven more minutes to erase the deficit.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erase
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Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
In China, a wide swath of suppliers are likely to see their already narrow margins completely erased, with a new wave of efforts to establish factories in other countries set to begin.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Wednesday’s committee votes came as city leaders, looking to erase the massive budget shortfall, are weighing whether to eliminate thousands of city jobs.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Barnes left the game with the Raptors up by nine, and the Magic needed seven more minutes to erase the deficit.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erase
Cite this Entry
“Erase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erase. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
erase
verb
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
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