purge
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
-
to rid, clear, or free (usually followed by of orfrom ).
The raid was intended to purge the political party of disloyal members.
-
to remove by cleansing or purifying (often followed by away, off, orout ).
-
to clear or empty (the stomach or bowels) by inducing vomiting or evacuation.
-
to cause evacuation of the bowels of (a person).
-
to put to death or otherwise eliminate (undesirable or unwanted members) from a political organization, government, nation, etc.
-
Computers. to delete or remove (data or the like).
Make sure to purge all sensitive information from your phone before you sell it.
-
to clear of imputed guilt or ritual uncleanliness.
-
to clear away or wipe out legally (an offense, accusation, etc.) by atonement or other suitable action.
-
Metallurgy.
-
to drive off (undesirable gases) from a furnace or stove.
-
to free (a furnace or stove) of undesirable gases.
-
verb (used without object)
-
to become cleansed or purified.
-
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
-
the act or process of purging.
-
the removal or elimination of members of a political organization, government, nation, etc., who are considered disloyal or otherwise undesirable.
-
something that purges, as a purgative medicine or laxative.
verb
-
(tr) to rid (something) of (impure or undesirable elements)
-
(tr) to rid (a state, political party, etc) of (dissident or troublesome people)
-
(tr)
-
to empty (the bowels) by evacuation of faeces
-
to cause (a person) to evacuate his bowels
-
-
-
to clear (a person) of a charge
-
to free (oneself) of guilt, as by atonement
to purge contempt
-
-
(intr) to be cleansed or purified
noun
-
the act or process of purging
-
the elimination of opponents or dissidents from a state, political party, etc
-
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.
There were also calls to purge Chavez’s name from buildings, streets and other features.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
Beijing has escalated a sweeping purge of military officials in the days before thousands of delegates from across the country meet for the annual Two Sessions political conclave that starts on Wednesday.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 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
He initiated an antigraft purge and dismantled the military’s top-heavy administrative fiefs in favor of centralized, joint-combat theater commands that report directly to the Central Military Commission, which he leads.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
Elnora and I ministered to her with the juice of bitter roots and crushed flowers to purge her foul humors and ease the pains in her head.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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.
