deˈletion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “deˈletion” mean?
The act or process of removing or erasing something, especially text, data, or genetic material.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or process of removing or erasing something, especially text, data, or genetic material.
The state of having been removed or omitted; an item that has been removed. In genetics, refers to the loss of a segment of DNA.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. Usage frequency is similar across technical fields.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Slightly more common in American computing contexts (e.g., 'file deletion').
Frequency
Low frequency in general conversation, high frequency in specialised domains like computing, genetics, and editing.
Grammar
How to Use “deˈletion” in a Sentence
deletion of [something]deletion from [a source][something] underwent deletionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “deˈletion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The editor will delete the redundant paragraph.
- You must delete those outdated records.
American English
- The system will delete the file permanently.
- I need to delete that embarrassing comment.
adverb
British English
- [No common adverbial form. Use 'by deletion' or 'through deletion'.]
American English
- [No common adverbial form. Use 'by deletion' or 'through deletion'.]
adjective
British English
- The deletion process is irreversible.
- We reviewed the deletion log for errors.
American English
- The deletion policy is very strict.
- A deletion request was submitted.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the removal of records, emails, or data entries, often following compliance protocols.
Academic
Common in linguistics (phoneme deletion), genetics (chromosomal deletion), and literary studies (editorial deletions).
Everyday
Rare. Used mainly for digital actions: 'I recovered a file after its accidental deletion.'
Technical
Core term in computing (deleting files), genetics (DNA deletion mutations), and database management.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “deˈletion”
- Confusing 'deletion' with 'omission' (deletion is active removal; omission can be passive forgetting).
- Using 'deletion' in casual speech where 'removing' or 'getting rid of' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a technical term. In everyday situations, people more often use verbs like 'delete', 'remove', or 'get rid of'.
They are often synonyms. 'Deletion' is more common in digital/record contexts, while 'erasure' can imply a more thorough, physical wiping out (e.g., erasing a blackboard, erasing memory).
Rarely. It is usually neutral or negative (e.g., loss of data). A positive use might be 'the deletion of outdated regulations was a welcome reform.'
The verb is 'to delete'. 'Deletion' is the noun describing the action or result of deleting.
The act or process of removing or erasing something, especially text, data, or genetic material.
Deˈletion is usually formal, technical in register.
Deˈletion: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈliːʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /dəˈliːʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'Delete' key on your keyboard. 'Deletion' is the noun form of that action.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANING/ERASING (We 'clean up' data by deletion; a deletion 'wipes the slate clean').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'deletion' used to describe a specific type of mutation?