Python - Dictionary Methods Part 3: Removing Data

These methods enable removing key-value pairs from dictionaries.

Methods and Examples

pop() Method Removes and returns the value for a specific key.

profession = my_dict.pop("profession")

print(profession)  # Output: Engineer

print(my_dict)  # Output: {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 26, 'city': 'New York', 'country': 'USA', 'hobby': 'Reading'}

Explanation: pop() is ideal for retrieving and deleting a key in one step.

popitem() Method Removes and returns the last inserted key-value pair as a tuple.

last_item = my_dict.popitem()

print(last_item)  # Output: ('hobby', 'Reading')

Explanation: Use popitem() for quick removal of the most recently added item.

clear() Method Empties the entire dictionary.

my_dict.clear()

print(my_dict)  # Output: {}

Explanation: clear() is useful for resetting a dictionary.