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
Synonyms
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
The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 410 points, or 1%, after erasing a morning gain of 250 points.
—
Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
Nvidia’s share price drop, which erased around $279 billion from its market capitalization, was the single biggest one-day market cap drop for a U.S. stock in history.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2024
Every ride, every steer wrestle, is a nod to the larger narrative of the Black cowgirls, a figure often erased from the annals of Western history.
—Essence, 2 Sep. 2024
Preferring to use pen over pencil to avoid the need for erasing, Martinez begins with line work before adding color with bright watercolors, gouache, or alcohol markers.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for erase 
Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
Nvidia’s share price drop, which erased around $279 billion from its market capitalization, was the single biggest one-day market cap drop for a U.S. stock in history.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2024
Every ride, every steer wrestle, is a nod to the larger narrative of the Black cowgirls, a figure often erased from the annals of Western history.
—Essence, 2 Sep. 2024
Preferring to use pen over pencil to avoid the need for erasing, Martinez begins with line work before adding color with bright watercolors, gouache, or alcohol markers.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for erase
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near erase
Cite this Entry
“Erase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erase. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
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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