discard

[dih-skahrd, dis-kahrd]

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).

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

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

noun

1. a person or thing that has been cast aside

2. cards a discarded card

3. the act of discarding

Other Word Forms

• discardable adjective
• discarder noun
• undiscardable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discard¹

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

Example Sentences

First, the Fed should discard its forecast of stagflation in the next couple of years, as if subpar growth and inflation 40% above target is the best that can be done.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Walker recently shared a photo showing what appeared to be 20 green bins in front of one property, right next to a discarded sofa.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"These discarded butts are toxic and a significant source of plastic pollution, due to their filters, which do not biodegrade."

Read more on Barron's

The process begins with Permafungi recovering waste materials such as sawdust that are discarded by traditional industries.

Read more on Barron's

After we raised the obelisk above the quarry surface, pieces of discarded granite were placed underneath it to hold it off the ground.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.