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

A domestic in stringently segregated Greenville, Tibby brought home books and magazines, such as National Geographic, that her white employers’ children had discarded.

From Los Angeles Times

The lack of gas tanks makes them easier to transport and cheap enough to discard wherever they land.

From The Wall Street Journal

In its Sunday update, the FBI also said it had collected about 16 gloves from various areas near Guthrie's home, though most were discarded by searchers looking for her.

From BBC

“I always dreamt of doing this. Other kids played with Play-Doh. I made stuff with anything I could get my hands on like clay, aluminum foil and discarded phone wire.”

From Los Angeles Times

The granola bar I took one bite of before discarding.

From Literature

Related Words

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