Removal is the act of taking something away from where it was or getting rid of it entirely. When a dentist performs a tooth removal, she takes out a damaged tooth that can't be saved. When your parents talk about snow removal after a blizzard, they mean clearing the snow from driveways and sidewalks.

The word suggests that the thing won't be coming back, often involving complete elimination. A stain removal product eliminates the stain permanently. When a mayor orders the removal of graffiti from a building, workers scrub or paint over it completely.

In American history, removal has a darker meaning. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to relocate west of the Mississippi River. This forced removal, known as the Trail of Tears, caused tremendous suffering and many deaths.

The word can also describe dismissing someone from a position. A principal might call for the removal of a teacher who breaks serious rules, or citizens might vote for the removal of an elected official who isn't doing their job. In these cases, removal means officially taking away someone's role or authority.