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.
It’s a culpability we should all interrogate, not immediately purge.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
Under Media Types, go to Screenshots and Screen Recordings for more to purge.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026
Maese appears to have survived the purge, at least so far; he’s in Milan right now covering the Olympics.
From Salon • Feb. 22, 2026
The most recent purge comes on the back of another crackdown which saw nine top generals - including some CMC members - removed from their posts in October 2025.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
By its own law of noninterference in scythe affairs, it could do nothing to stop the purge.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
