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
Nothing Astronomer could have said or done would've erased the incident.
—
Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Intel’s stock jumped early in 2025 as optimism built around new leadership, but shares fell over 9% after Thursday’s Q2 earnings and layoff announcement, threatening to erase most yearly gains.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 25 July 2025
There are entire branches of family trees that are unknown or erased.
—Tanya Talaga
july 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
The Europeans also want Iran to re-engage in concrete negotiations about limiting or erasing its uranium enrichment capabilities.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for erase
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.
Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Intel’s stock jumped early in 2025 as optimism built around new leadership, but shares fell over 9% after Thursday’s Q2 earnings and layoff announcement, threatening to erase most yearly gains.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 25 July 2025
There are entire branches of family trees that are unknown or erased.
—Tanya Talaga
july 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
The Europeans also want Iran to re-engage in concrete negotiations about limiting or erasing its uranium enrichment capabilities.
—Jackie Northam, NPR, 24 July 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 29 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share