discard

[ verb dih-skahrd; noun dis-kahrd ]

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).

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

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

noun

1. a person or thing that has been cast aside
2. cards a discarded card
3. the act of discarding

Derived Forms

• disˈcarder, noun

Other Words From

• dis·card·a·ble adjective
• dis·card·er noun
• un·dis·card·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discard¹

First recorded in 1580–90; dis- ¹ + card ¹

Example Sentences

Other research labs have used simulations to show that reducing population-level food consumption can lower energy costs, preserve land and water resources, and reduce greenhouse gas creation by keeping discarded food out of landfills.

From Science Daily

The fire started in an alley behind a building surrounded by what appeared to be discarded furniture and boxes, according to video from the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Flame retardants are getting into our most commonly used items because these black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives.

From Los Angeles Times

It is unclear what the source is in each system, but experts say it could be from unpasteurized milk, wild bird droppings or discarded contaminated animal products.

From Los Angeles Times

One discarded pile of oat pulp or moldy loaf of bread, at a time.

From Salon

Related Words

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

More About Discard

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.

Where does discard come from?

The first records of discard come from around the 1580s. It is formed from the noun card (and its use in the context of card games goes back at least to the 1590s). The prefix dis- is used to mean “away” and implies removal.

You can discard both physical and nonphysical things. You discard your trash. When you clean out your garage, you discard the old things you don’t use anymore. When you cook, you often discard scraps like onion skins. You can discard a bad idea or a first draft. You can even discard people, but this means that you reject them or stop having them be part of your life. The word often implies permanence—when you discard something, it’s usually gone forever. For this reason, it can imply that you should have cared more about it. Sometimes, there are better things to do with something than just discarding it. Instead of discarding leftover food, some restaurants donate it to food banks. Instead of discarding that first draft, you could revise it or rework it.

In card games like rummy, you discard the cards you don’t want or need (called discards) by placing them in the discard pile. In the context of cards, it is often pronounced as “DIS-card” (as opposed to di-SCARD).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of discard?

• discardable (adjective)
• discarder (noun)
• undiscardable (adjective)
• undiscarded (adjective)

What are some synonyms for discard?

• get rid of
• dispose of
• throw out
• ditch
• dump
• reject
• scrap
• abandon

What are some words that often get used in discussing discard?

• trash
• garbage
• card
• game
• KonMari

How is discard used in real life?

Discard is most often used to refer to casting aside or getting rid of something, especially permanently and without remorse.

Anyone else discard all of their notes once done with a class🙋🏽

— Taleah Hawthorne (@taleahtherese) May 4, 2016

marie kondo told me to throw out everything that does not spark joy, so i have decided to discard all of my textbooks as well as my credit card bills. wish me luck

— endhawks lovebot @ ACNH (@redbeantofu) January 9, 2019

god grant me the strength, kindness and patience to call in the people I care for when they mess up, to have their back as they try to learn and grow rather than discard them, and let people have the grace to do the same with me.

— wikipedia brown, socially distant OG (@eveewing) April 27, 2018

 

 

Try using discard!

Which of the following terms is NOT a synonym for discard?

A. retain
B. dump
C. ditch
D. throw out