To delete means to remove something completely, usually by erasing it or throwing it away. When you delete a file from your computer, you make it disappear so it no longer takes up space. When you delete a sentence while writing, you take it out entirely because it doesn't fit or isn't needed.

Before computers, editors would mark text for deletion by crossing it out or drawing a special symbol. Now we press the delete key on a keyboard or tap a trash icon on our phones.

In everyday use, deletion is often reversible for a while. Computers typically move deleted files to a “trash” or “recycle bin” where you can recover them if you change your mind. But once you empty that bin, the deletion becomes permanent. Some people delete emails they don't need anymore to keep their inbox organized. Others delete old photos to free up storage space.

The opposite of delete is to save, keep, or preserve. When you're working on something important, remembering what to delete can be just as valuable as knowing what to keep.