removal

The word “removal” means the act of taking something away or getting rid of it. In plain terms, the act of taking something (or someone) away.

“Removal” is pronounced rih-MOO-vuhl (/ɹɪˈmu.vəl/ in IPA).

Here is “removal” used in a sentence: “The removal of the old fence took most of the afternoon.”

Words with a similar meaning to “removal” include move, relocation, ablation, deduction, deinstallation and subduction.

The opposite of “removal” — its antonyms — is addition.

“Removal” is a noun.

“Removal” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Removal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of taking something away or getting rid of it.

"Removal" is the act of taking something away or getting rid of it, and it can be temporary or simply relocating the item. "Elimination" stresses complete and often permanent getting rid of something so that none remains. You might remove a stain that returns, but eliminating it means it is gone entirely.

In British English, "removals" often refers to the business of moving household belongings to a new home, as in "a removals company." In American English, this sense is usually called "moving," and "removal" more often means taking something away or dismissing someone. The core meaning of taking something away is shared in both.

"Removal" is usually followed by "of," as in "the removal of the barrier," and by "from" to show the source, as in "removal from office." When it means dismissal, it pairs with "from" plus a position or role. The choice of preposition shows what is taken away and from where.

In the sense of jobs, "removal" and "dismissal" both mean ending someone's position and overlap closely. "Dismissal" almost always refers to a person being let go from a job or role, while "removal" can also apply to objects being taken away. When people are involved, removal often implies a more formal or forced ousting.