Rid/rɪd/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Object Focus Emphasize the unwanted item, not the place or person being freed from it. They are trying to rid the garden of weeds. Pro Tip 2/3Active Effort Usually implies taking active steps to remove something undesired. The city is taking steps to rid the streets of graffiti. Pro Tip 3/3Complete Removal Signifies the total elimination of something rather than reducing it. They ridded the area of all pollutants.