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Python Dictionary popitem() Function

The Dictionary popitem() method removes and returns the last inserted key-value pair from the dictionary.

note

Pairs are returned in Last-In First-Out (LIFO) order.

Syntax​

my_dictionary.popitem()

popitem() Parameters​

Python Dictionary popitem() function does not take any parameters.

popitem() Return Value​

Python Dictionary popitem() function removes and returns the (key, value) pair from the dictionary according to the LIFO (Last-In First-Out) order. In particular:

  • Return the latest inserted element (key,value) pair from the dictionary.
  • Remove the returned element pair from the dictionary.
danger

Before Python 3.7, the popitem() method would return and remove a random element (key, value) pair from the dictionary.

Examples​

Example 1: Basic Usage of popitem() method of dictionaries​

For example, let's remove the last inserted uten from the dictionary:

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
removed = my_dict.popitem()

print(my_dict) # Output: {'name': 'Tom'}
print(removed) # Output: ('age', 25)

output:

{'name': 'Tom'}
('age', 25)

Another example: let's add a new element pair in a dictionary and then use the popitem() method to remove it:

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}

print(my_dict) # Output: {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}

# inserting a new element pair
my_dict['job'] = 'Developer'

# my_dict after insertion
print(my_dict) # Output: {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25, 'job': 'Developer'}

removed = my_dict.popitem() # remove last inserted (LIFO policy)

print(my_dict) # Output: {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
print(removed) # Output: ('job', 'Developer')

output:

{'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25, 'job': 'Developer'}
{'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
('job', 'Developer')

Example 2: popitem() on an Empty Dictionary​

Using popitem() method on an empty dictionary, raises a KeyError exception.

my_dict = {}
removed = my_dict.popitem() # raises KeyError exception

print(removed)

output:

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

To avoid KeyError exception when using popitem() method, you must check if the dictionary is empty before calling the popitem() method.

my_dict = {}
if my_dict: # check if dictionary is NOT empty
    removed = my_dict.popitem()
    print(removed)
else:
    print('Dictionary is empty!')

output:

Dictionary is empty!

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