to clear / evacuate
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to clear
To remove objects from a place or surface in order to make it empty or create space.
Wir müssen den Keller räumen, um Platz für die neuen Regale zu schaffen.
We need to clear out the basement to make room for the new shelves.
The verb 'räumen' (to clear / evacuate) is closely related to the noun 'der Raum' (room / space). The basic idea is always to create room or space.
Bitte räum dein Zimmer auf, es ist sehr unordentlich.
Please tidy up your room; it's very messy.
The object of the sentence helps you recognize the meaning. 'Den Tisch räumen' (to clear the table) means to make it empty. 'Ein Gebäude räumen' (to evacuate a building) means to evacuate it. 'Schnee räumen' (to clear snow) means to remove an obstacle.
Nach dem Essen müssen wir noch den Tisch räumen.
After eating, we still have to clear the table.
In the meaning of 'leer machen' (to empty), 'räumen' (to clear) is often combined with places or pieces of furniture where things are stored. Typical examples are: 'den Schreibtisch räumen' (to clear the desk), 'den Schrank räumen' (to clear out the closet), or 'die Garage räumen' (to clear out the garage).
Ich muss endlich mal meinen Schreibtisch räumen.
I really need to clear my desk at some point.
When evacuating, an authority is often the subject in an active sentence. In a passive sentence, the evacuated place becomes the subject, which is very common.
Die Polizei räumte den Platz wegen einer Demonstration.
The police cleared the square because of a demonstration.
The idiom 'das Feld räumen' (to leave the field) is a fixed unit and means to give up a position or withdraw from a competition. 'Das Feld' (the field) is used here metaphorically for the area of action or competition.
Nach der Wahlniederlage musste der Parteivorsitzende das Feld räumen.
After the election defeat, the party leader had to leave the field.
to remove
'entfernen' and 'räumen' can both have to do with removing something or leaving. 'entfernen' usually refers to a single thing, or to a person moving away from a place. 'räumen' is used more when an entire place, area, or path is cleared. You clear a room, a street, or a building. In dangerous situations, 'räumen' can also mean that everyone has to leave a place. If only one object needs to be taken away, 'entfernen' fits better; if an area needs to be cleared, 'räumen' is often the better choice.
Bitte räumt den Gang, damit die Feuerwehr schnell durchkommt.
Please clear the hallway so the fire department can get through quickly.
Die Familie entfernt die nassen Schuhe aus dem Flur.
The family removes the wet shoes from the hallway.