Python Dictionary - popitem() Method

The Python popitem() method is used to delete a last key-value pair of the dictionary. Elements in a dictionary are unordered and hence it is not possible to find last element of a dictionary and consequently deletes random key-value pair.

Syntax

dictionary.popitem()

Parameters

No parameter is required.

Return Value

Returns the deleted key-value pair of the dictionary.

Example: popitem() method of dictionary

In the example below, popitem() method is used to delete last key-value pair of the dictionary. As dictionary is an unordered data container therefore deletes random key-value pair. Deleted key-value pair can be accessed through method object as tuple.

Info = {
  'name': 'John',
  'age': 25,
  'city': 'London'
}

method_object = Info.popitem() 
print(method_object) 
print(Info)     

The output of the above code will be:

('name', 'John')
{'age': 25, 'city': 'London'}

Example: popitem() method on empty dictionary

If popitem() method is used on empty dictionary, it will raise an exception.

Info = {}
Info.popitem() 
print(Info)     

The output of the above code will be:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "Main.py", line 2, in <module>
    Info.popitem() 
KeyError: 'popitem(): dictionary is empty'