clean out
verb
cleaned out; cleaning out; cleans out
1
: to remove unwanted things from (a room, closet, etc.)
We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage.
2
informal
: to steal or take everything from (someone or something)
The thieves broke in and cleaned out the store.
3
informal
: to use up all or most of the money of (someone)
Buying the house really cleaned us out. Now we're broke.
Examples of clean out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Using a small stiff brush, clean out any gunk or debris in the screen door’s tracks.
—
Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
If your burners haven’t soaked for a full 10 minutes yet, go ahead and commit a few more minutes to cleaning out your toaster’s crumb tray.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
In an email obtained by CBS News Baltimore, the city's Department of Public Works (DPW) told neighbors a crew was sent to clean out the lot on May 21 but couldn't finish the job.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Was Rinna cleaning out her closet?
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clean out
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
If your burners haven’t soaked for a full 10 minutes yet, go ahead and commit a few more minutes to cleaning out your toaster’s crumb tray.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
In an email obtained by CBS News Baltimore, the city's Department of Public Works (DPW) told neighbors a crew was sent to clean out the lot on May 21 but couldn't finish the job.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 3 June 2026
Was Rinna cleaning out her closet?
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clean out
Cite this Entry
“Clean out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean%20out. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
