purge
Americanverb (used with object)
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to rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; cleanse; purify.
The water was purged and then tested for purity, so it should be safe to drink.
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to rid, clear, or free (usually followed by of orfrom ).
The raid was intended to purge the political party of disloyal members.
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to remove by cleansing or purifying (often followed by away, off, orout ).
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to clear or empty (the stomach or bowels) by inducing vomiting or evacuation.
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to cause evacuation of the bowels of (a person).
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to put to death or otherwise eliminate (undesirable or unwanted members) from a political organization, government, nation, etc.
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Computers. to delete or remove (data or the like).
Make sure to purge all sensitive information from your phone before you sell it.
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to clear of imputed guilt or ritual uncleanliness.
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to clear away or wipe out legally (an offense, accusation, etc.) by atonement or other suitable action.
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Metallurgy.
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to drive off (undesirable gases) from a furnace or stove.
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to free (a furnace or stove) of undesirable gases.
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verb (used without object)
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to become cleansed or purified.
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to clear or empty the stomach or bowels by inducing vomiting or evacuation.
A bulimic individual who binges and purges often will experience physical changes that make stopping the cycle extremely difficult.
noun
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the act or process of purging.
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the removal or elimination of members of a political organization, government, nation, etc., who are considered disloyal or otherwise undesirable.
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something that purges, as a purgative medicine or laxative.
verb
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(tr) to rid (something) of (impure or undesirable elements)
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(tr) to rid (a state, political party, etc) of (dissident or troublesome people)
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(tr)
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to empty (the bowels) by evacuation of faeces
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to cause (a person) to evacuate his bowels
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to clear (a person) of a charge
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to free (oneself) of guilt, as by atonement
to purge contempt
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(intr) to be cleansed or purified
noun
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the act or process of purging
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the elimination of opponents or dissidents from a state, political party, etc
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a purgative drug or agent; cathartic
Other Word Forms
- purgeable adjective
- purger noun
- unpurgeable adjective
- unpurged adjective
Etymology
Origin of purge
First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English purgen, from Old French purg(i)er, from Latin pūrgāre “to cleanse”; (noun) Middle English, from Old French, derivative of the verb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Designing a kitchen for how you actually cook begins, mercifully, not with a purge or a purchase, but with a little attention.
From Salon
At least Rangers have had their purge, their moment when they accepted with a bit of humility that they had made mistakes and that the manager, the sporting director and the chairman had to go.
From BBC
Falling support for China-friendly parties in Taiwan and Beijing's own army purges and slowing economy may also have motivated the drills, he said.
From Barron's
When Will purges himself of that, he becomes unstoppable — or that’s the hope.
From Los Angeles Times
Although China’s government sees AI as crucial to the country’s economic and military future, regulations and recent purges of online content show it also fears AI could destabilize society.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
