discard

American  

[dih-skahrd, dis-kahrd] / dɪˈskɑrd, ˈdɪs kɑrd /

verb (used with object)

1. to cast aside or dispose of; get rid of.

   to discard an old hat.

   Antonyms:

   retain, preserve, keep, hold

2. Cards.

   1. to throw out (a card or cards) from one's hand.

   2. to play (a card, not a trump, of a different suit from that of the card led).

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verb (used without object)

1. Cards. to discard a card or cards.

noun

1. the act of discarding.

2. a person or thing that is cast out or rejected.

3. Cards. a card or cards discarded.

discard British  

verb

1. (tr) to get rid of as useless or undesirable

2. cards to throw out (a card or cards) from one's hand

3. cards to play (a card not of the suit led nor a trump) when unable to follow suit

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noun

1. a person or thing that has been cast aside

2. cards a discarded card

3. the act of discarding

Usage

What does discard mean? To discard something is to dispose of it or get rid of it.In card games, to discard a card is to get rid of it, such as by putting it in the discard pile. Discard can also be used as a noun referring to a card that has been discarded. It can also be used as a noun in a general way, but this is less common.Example: You should have thought about fixing up that old chair instead of just discarding it.

Other Word Forms

• discardable adjective
• discarder noun
• undiscardable adjective

Etymology

Origin of discard

First recorded in 1580–90; dis- ¹ + card ¹

Example Sentences

As a general rule, if the paperwork arrived regularly in the mail and did not require action, it can be safely discarded.

From MarketWatch

While she faced the other way, Aaron picked up the one she’d just discarded, squeezed it efficiently into the bowl, and then put it back on the counter.

From Literature

Thousands of discarded human-made objects are circling Earth, and when pieces of that space debris fall back to the surface, they can pose risks to people on the ground.

From Science Daily

Any soft objects such as carpet or clothing that could absorb and hold onto contamination were discarded.

From Los Angeles Times

He has clearly discarded the idea that the U.S. need not concern itself with matters beyond its frontiers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abandon
• cancel
• dispense with
• dispose of
• ditch
• dump
• eliminate
• give up
• jettison
• reject
• remove
• renounce
• repeal
• scrap
• shed