garbology

noun

gar·​bol·​o·​gy gär-ˈbä-lə-jē How to pronounce garbology (audio)
: the study of modern culture through the analysis of what is thrown away as garbage
garbologist noun

Word History

Etymology

garb(age) + -ology (as in geology)

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of garbology was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near garbology

Cite this Entry

“Garbology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garbology. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!