1. the process of removing an item from a museum, library, or collection and disposing of it, typically by sale, donation, or destruction
Usage: museum and library practice; formal institutional term

1. to remove (an item) from a museum, library, or institutional collection and dispose of it
Usage: museum and library practice; formal institutional term

Examples

• The museum is deaccessioning several paintings that fall outside its core collection focus.
• Deaccessioning requires careful documentation and approval from the institution's board.
• The library began deaccessioning outdated reference materials to make room for new acquisitions.
• Ethical guidelines govern how museums handle deaccessioning to ensure proper stewardship.
• The proceeds from deaccessioning duplicate artifacts helped fund conservation efforts.
• Deaccessioning is a standard practice when institutions need to refine their collections.