Eliminate
ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt
Definitions
2 meaningsTo get rid of; remove or exclude.
ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt
To remove or get rid of something.
The doctor hoped to eliminate the patient's pain.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a messy room. To *eliminate* clutter is like taking the toys and clothes and putting them away. It's about making something disappear from where it shouldn't be!
👶 For kids: To make something go away!
More Examples
The company decided to eliminate certain products from their catalog.
A good diet can help eliminate toxins from the body.
The goal is to eliminate any possible problems.
How It's Used
"The politician promised to eliminate government waste."
"We can eliminate variables to solve the equation."
"The team was eliminated from the playoffs."
To exclude a person or team from a competition or contest.
ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt
To remove someone from a competition or contest.
The underdog team was eliminated in the first round.
💡 Simply: Imagine a game of tag. If you get tagged, you're out! To *eliminate* someone from a competition is the same - they are no longer able to participate.
👶 For kids: To make someone not able to play anymore in a game.
More Examples
Poor performance caused her to be eliminated from the singing competition.
After losing the match, they were eliminated from the tournament.
Several contestants will be eliminated during the next episode.
How It's Used
"The team was eliminated in the semi-finals."
"One player is eliminated each round until a winner remains."
Idioms & expressions
eliminate the middleman
To cut out an intermediary in a transaction or process, especially in business, to reduce costs or increase efficiency.
"By selling directly to consumers, the company was able to eliminate the middleman and offer lower prices."
From Latin *eliminare* ("to put out, drive out"), from *e-* (out) + *limen* (threshold).
Used extensively since the 17th century in various contexts from mathematics to warfare.
Memory tip
Think of *lime* - you want to eliminate the lime from your drink if you don't like it.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: e- + limen