驱逐 means 'to expel' or 'to drive out', often with force or authority. The character 驱 (qū) conveys the idea of driving, urging forward, or commanding movement—like driving a cart or herding animals. The character 逐 (zhú) means 'to chase', 'to pursue', or 'to follow closely', carrying a sense of active pursuit and removal. Together, 驱逐 emphasizes deliberate, authoritative action to remove someone or something from a place—whether people, animals, or abstract entities like ideas or influences. It is commonly used in formal, legal, political, or ecological contexts.

This verb typically takes a direct object (e.g., 驱逐出境 'expel from the country') and often implies official sanction or institutional power. It’s stronger and more formal than synonyms like 赶走 (gǎn zǒu), which is colloquial and less authoritative. While it can describe human expulsion (e.g., by governments or schools), it also appears frequently in environmental or wildlife management contexts—such as removing invasive species or relocating animals threatening crops or ecosystems.