wipe

B2 · Upper Intermediate Computing

v. to remove all the information from a computer, phone, or hard drive.

v. to delete all data from a storage medium, often as a security measure or during a system reset.

“You should wipe your phone's memory before you sell it to someone else.”

“The IT department had to wipe the stolen laptop remotely to ensure that sensitive company information did not fall into the wrong hands.”

C1 · Advanced Computing Slang · Informal

v. when every member of a team or group dies at the same time in a video game.

v. to suffer a total party defeat in a cooperative game or raid, resulting in all players being killed simultaneously. Often used intransitively.

“Our whole team wiped because the boss was much stronger than we expected.”

“Despite our careful preparation, the group wiped during the final phase of the encounter due to a single mechanical error.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a small, wet piece of cloth or paper used for cleaning things or your skin.

n. a disposable, often pre-moistened piece of cloth or paper used for hygienic or cleaning purposes.

“She used a baby wipe to clean the chocolate off the child's face.”

“The technician used an antiseptic wipe to sterilise the surface before beginning the delicate repair process.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. the act of cleaning something by rubbing it once.

n. a single act or instance of rubbing a surface to clean or dry it.

“Give the window a quick wipe to get rid of those fingerprints.”

“A quick wipe with a microfibre cloth is usually enough to maintain the screen's clarity without needing harsh chemicals.”