verb
expel
ihk-SPEHL
verb
1
To force someone out of a place, group, or organization, often as punishment.
"He was expelled from school for fighting."
"The country expelled several diplomats after the scandal."
2
To push or drive something out with force.
"The volcano expelled clouds of ash into the sky."
How to Use Expel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo throw someone or something out by force.
Common mistake
Distinguish from "expend" (to spend or use up) — the words look similar but are unrelated.
Common pairings
expel a student
expel gas
expel from the country
Word Forms
expelled past tense, expels singular
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Etymology
From Latin expellere, "to drive out," from ex- ("out") + pellere ("to drive").