废除 (fèi chú) is a formal verb meaning 'to abolish' — typically used for laws, regulations, systems, institutions, or outdated practices that are officially canceled or discontinued. The character 废 (fèi) means 'to discard', 'to abandon', or 'useless', while 除 (chú) means 'to remove' or 'to eliminate'. Together, they convey the deliberate, authoritative act of erasing something from official existence — not just stopping it temporarily, but nullifying its legal or institutional validity.

This word appears frequently in political, historical, and legal contexts: for example, when governments repeal unjust laws, end feudal systems, or terminate treaties. It carries a strong sense of finality and institutional power — you wouldn’t use it for personal habits (e.g., quitting coffee), nor for physical objects (e.g., throwing away trash). It’s more formal than 取消 (qǔxiāo, 'to cancel') and stronger than 废止 (fèizhǐ, 'to rescind'), often implying moral or progressive justification behind the abolition.