---
name: "ipcrm"
section: "1"
platform: "macos"
package: "file_cmds"
version: "479"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ipcrm"
---

# ipcrm(1)

remove the specified message queues, semaphore sets, and shared segments

## NAME

**ipcrm** – remove the specified message queues, semaphore sets, and shared segments

## SYNOPSIS

**ipcrm** \[**-q** *msqid*\] \[**-m** *shmid*\] \[**-s** *semid*\] \[**-Q** *msgkey*\] \[**-M** *shmkey*\] \[**-S** *semkey*\] *...*

## DESCRIPTION

The **ipcrm** utility removes the specified message queues, semaphores and shared memory segments. These System V IPC objects can be specified by their creation ID or any associated key.

The following options are used to specify which IPC objects will be removed. Any number and combination of these options can be used:

- **-q** *msqid*

  Remove the message queue associated with the ID *msqid* from the system.

- **-m** *shmid*

  Mark the shared memory segment associated with ID *shmid* for removal. This marked segment will be destroyed after the last detach.

- **-s** *semid*

  Remove the semaphore set associated with ID *semid* from the system.

- **-Q** *msgkey*

  Remove the message queue associated with key *msgkey* from the system.

- **-M** *shmkey*

  Mark the shared memory segment associated with key *shmkey* for removal. This marked segment will be destroyed after the last detach.

- **-S** *semkey*

  Remove the semaphore set associated with key *semkey* from the system.

The identifiers and keys associated with these System V IPC objects can be determined by using [ipcs(1)](/ipcs/1.md).

## SEE ALSO

[ipcs(1)](/ipcs/1.md)

## AUTHORS

The original author was Adam Glass. The wiping of all System V IPC objects was thought up by Callum Gibson and extended and implemented by Edwin Groothuis.