¹purge

verb \ˈpərj\

: to remove people from an area, country, organization, etc., often in a violent and sudden way

: to cause something to leave the body

purgedpurg·ing

Full Definition of PURGE

transitive verb

a : to clear of guilt

b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement

a : to cause evacuation from (as the bowels)

b (1) : to make free of something unwanted <purge a manhole of gas> <purge yourself of fear> (2) : to free (as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleeding

c (1) : to rid (as a nation or party) by a purge (2) : to get rid of <the leaders had been purged>

intransitive verb

: to become purged

: to have or produce frequent evacuations

: to cause purgation

— purg·er noun

See purge defined for English-language learners

See purge defined for kids

Origin of PURGE

Middle English, from Anglo-French purger, from Latin purigare, purgare to purify, purge, from purus pure + -igare (akin to agere to drive, do) — more at act

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PURGE

Synonyms: cleanse, purify, sanctify

²purge

noun

: the often violent and sudden removal of people from an area, country, organization, etc.

Full Definition of PURGE

: something that purges; especially : purgative

a : an act or instance of purging

b : the removal of elements or members regarded as undesirable and especially as treacherous or disloyal

See purge defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of PURGE

1563

PURGE Defined for Kids

¹purge

verb \ˈpərj\

purgedpurg·ing

Definition of PURGE for Kids

: to get rid of <Ineffective workers were purged from the company.>

: to rid of unwanted things or people <The heir alone would be able to … purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic. — J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets>