Definition of eradicate

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e·rad·i·cate    (-rd-kt) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
e·rad·i·cat·ed, e·rad·i·cat·ing, e·rad·i·cates

1. To tear up by the roots.
2. To get rid of as if by tearing up by the roots: Their goal was to eradicate poverty. See Synonyms at abolish, eliminate.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English eradicaten, from Latin rdcre, rdct- : -, ex-, ex- + rdx, rdc-, root; see wrd- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
e·radi·ca·ble  (-k-bl) KEY (Adjective), e·radi·cation(Noun), e·radi·cative(Adjective), e·radi·cator(Noun)