---
name: "ipcrm"
section: "1"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ipcrm"
---

# ipcrm(1)

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

## NAME

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

## SYNOPSIS

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

## DESCRIPTION

**ipcrm** 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 options are as follows:

- **-M** *shmkey*

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

- **-m** *shmid*

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

- **-Q** *msgkey*

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

- **-q** *msqid*

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

- **-S** *semkey*

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

- **-s** *semid*

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

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

## EXIT STATUS

The **ipcrm** utility exits 0 on success, and \>0 if an error occurs.

## SEE ALSO

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

## STANDARDS

The **ipcrm** utility is compliant with the X/Open System Interfaces option of the IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”) specification.