ejecting

Ejecting is the act of forcing something to be expelled from a container, vehicle, or system. The term is used across disciplines such as physics, engineering, aviation, computing, and social contexts. Items that are expelled are called ejecta or ejectants; the process can be intentional, such as an emergency ejection, or involuntary, arising from pressure, impulse, or a failure of containment.

In aviation, ejection seats allow a pilot to leave an aircraft in an emergency. Modern systems typically trigger automatic sequencing: the seat and occupant separate from the aircraft, the seat is propelled away, and stabilizing systems deploy a parachute. Canopy jettison mechanisms may precede or accompany the seat launch. Ejection is a high-risk procedure that balances speed, survivability, and environmental conditions, and it is supported by training, safety protocols, and extensive testing. Not all incidents result in survival, and certain flight regimes or aircraft configurations can reduce effectiveness.

Other uses of the term include the removal of removable media from drives (ejecting a CD, DVD, or USB device) in computing. In fluid dynamics, ejectors or jet pumps use a high-velocity fluid stream to entrain and discharge another fluid, enabling pumping or mixing without moving parts. In social or organizational contexts, to eject means to expel a person from a venue, organization, or event, often under established rules or codes of conduct. The concept conveys the transition from containment to external separation.