Removal Meaning, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：taking away (removal)

removal 🔊

/rɪˈmuːvl/

the process of taking something away from where it was.

Removal illustrated by movers carrying a sofa down stairs

taking away 🔊

➕

/tˈeɪkɪŋ əˈweɪ/

The action or process of moving, taking, or carrying something away from its original place or position.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'remove' (to take away) + '-al' (noun suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'RE-MOVE-AL' sounds like 'Re-move-all' – you move all of something away.

📖 Example

The removal of the old sofa made the living room look much bigger. 🔊 The act of taking the old sofa away created more space in the room.

🔗 Collocations

surgical removal – the medical procedure of cutting something out of the body

removal service – a company that helps people move their belongings

removal of obstacles – the act of getting rid of things that block progress

🔄 Synonyms

extraction (n.) – The action of taking something out, especially with effort.

elimination (n.) – The complete removal or destruction of something.

withdrawal (n.) – The action of taking something back or away.

🚫 Antonyms

addition (n.) – The action or process of adding something to something else.

insertion (n.) – The action of putting something into something else.

🌱 Derivatives

remove (v.) – To take something away or off from the position occupied.

removable (adj.) – Able to be taken off or away.

remover (n.) – A person or thing that removes something, especially a chemical substance.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'removal' originates from the Latin 'removere' (re- 'back' + movere 'to move'), entering English via Old French 'remouvoir'. It is a formal term frequently used in legal, administrative, and medical contexts, such as the 'removal of a judge' or 'surgical removal'.