sanitary
adjective
san·i·tary
ˈsa-nə-ˌter-ē 
1
: of or relating to health
sanitary measures
2
: of, relating to, or used in the disposal especially of domestic waterborne waste
a sanitary sewer system
3
: characterized by or readily kept in cleanliness
sanitary packages
Examples of sanitary in a Sentence
the nurse made sure that everything in the room was sanitary so that the baby wouldn't get sick
Recent Examples on the Web
The number of immigration judges and staff should be significantly increased so that asylum applications can be decided on a much quicker basis, and individuals waiting on asylum decisions should be provided safe and sanitary conditions.
—
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
Daily blackouts, widespread shortages, increasing levels of street violence and poor sanitary conditions have led many tour operators and airlines to drop the country and eliminate flights.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Don't worry, this water is perfectly sanitary!
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2025
Senate Bill 1950, which began as a bill about sanitary food preparation, passed as the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act in the early morning hours of Halloween.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanitary
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Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
Daily blackouts, widespread shortages, increasing levels of street violence and poor sanitary conditions have led many tour operators and airlines to drop the country and eliminate flights.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Don't worry, this water is perfectly sanitary!
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2025
Senate Bill 1950, which began as a bill about sanitary food preparation, passed as the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act in the early morning hours of Halloween.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanitary
Cite this Entry
“Sanitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitary. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sanitary
adjective
san·i·tary
ˈsan-ə-ˌter-ē
1
: of or relating to health : hygienic
sanitary laws
2
: free from filth, infection, or dangers to health
Medical Definition
sanitary
adjective
san·i·tary
ˈsan-ə-ˌter-ē
1
: of or relating to health
sanitary measures
2
: of, relating to, or used in the disposal especially of domestic waterborne waste
sanitary sewage
3
: characterized by or readily kept in cleanliness
sanitary food handling
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