eradicate

Everyday

1. To eradicate something bad means to get rid of it completely, so that it no longer exists. tree →
2. (science, health) To eradicate a disease means to destroy it everywhere in the world. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history lessons pupils learn that smallpox was eradicated in 1980 thanks to vaccines, and that people are trying to eradicate polio and malaria. In geography and nature lessons, people try to eradicate pests like rats or invasive weeds. In everyday life it is a strong word for «get rid of»: «eradicate poverty». Phrases: «eradicate a disease», «eradicate poverty».

Examples

• Smallpox has been eradicated. tree →
• Doctors hope to eradicate polio soon. tree →
• The island eradicated all its rats to save the birds. tree →
• We want to eradicate bullying from our school. tree →
• It is hard to eradicate weeds completely. tree →
• Charities work to eradicate poverty and hunger. tree →

Note

Regular verb: eradicated. Noun: eradication. Formal word; everyday words are «wipe out», «get rid of». «Eradicate» means completely — so only smallpox counts as truly eradicated among human diseases; others are «controlled» or «reduced».