culling

American  

[kuhl-ing] / ˈkʌl ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of selecting and removing desirable or undesirable individuals from a group.

   Reducing farm exposure to the bacteria will require more rigorous testing and culling of infected animals.

2. the process of gathering or collecting.

   To realize progress through the transfer of ideas, an informed culling of content and the extension of a shared knowledge base are essential.

3. the group of things resulting from either of these processes.

   The collection War in Context provides a crucial culling of stories that I would surely have missed had I not read it.

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Etymology

Origin of culling

cull ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

L.A.’s nightlife — particularly in downtown — is still recovering from the pandemic-era culling of live venues and hospitality.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

But some animal welfare campaigners said culling was inhumane and not effective in the long term.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

This wasn’t a major housecleaning but more like a culling of online subscriptions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

By culling the bears -- which can weigh up to half a ton and outrun a human -- officials hope to stem the threat across parts of northern Japan.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

“Well,” I said, “I guess you won’t be culling for Daddy this winter.”

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

Related Words

• choice
• collection
• draft
• election
• excerpt
• option
• pick