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

Instead of discarding the samples afterward, he reused them.

From Science Daily

I focus my eyes on a couple of seagulls fighting over a discarded slice of pizza.

From Literature

A member of the public was killed after handling the delivery device, a discarded perfume bottle, triggering the largest Western expulsion in decades of Russian diplomats alleged to be spies.

From Barron's

A nationwide search for Nancy Guthrie has unveiled several leads, including discarded gloves, DNA evidence and alleged ransom notes, but it has not lead to any major progress.

From BBC

But selling the store is tantamount to discarding his story.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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