Removal

Removal is the act of taking something away from its current location, state, or condition, or the process of separating it from a system. It is performed to restore order, ensure safety, improve function, or comply with rules.

In everyday use, physical removal covers trash collection, weed or graffiti removal, and the extraction of objects from scenes or containers. Large-scale removal includes demolition, excavation, or the removal of natural features in planning.

Administrative or legal removal involves relocating people or items under authority, such as eviction from property, deportation, or the removal of records from lists, registries, or databases.

In computing and data management, removal refers to erasing, deleting, or securely wiping information. Software uninstallation and data sanitization are common forms of data removal.

Environmental science describes removal as a set of processes that extract pollutants or contaminants from air, water, or soil. Carbon removal refers to technologies and methods that remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Medical contexts use removal to describe surgical excision or the removal of diseased tissue, implanted devices, or organs. Such procedures are typically guided by clinical indications, risks, and patient consent.

Methods range from manual and mechanical removal to chemical or thermal processes. Effective removal emphasizes safety, accuracy, verification of outcomes, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.