wastepaper

noun

waste·​pa·​per ˈwās(t)-ˈpā-pər How to pronounce wastepaper (audio)
: paper discarded as used, superfluous, or not fit for use

Examples of wastepaper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If boho designs are more to your liking, a fuschia ikat wooden wastepaper basket will provide just the right punch of color and pattern under a desk ($116, Laylagrace.com). Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Tons of wastepaper and plastic went to landfills. Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 A few days after the fire, Maher, a former Green Beret, admitted to setting a wastepaper basket on fire and stabbing himself. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 The black-and-white picture depicts a young boy sitting on the floor playing with a nurse superhero toy, as Batman and Spiderman toy figures lie in a wastepaper basket next to him. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 1 July 2020 No incriminating diary pages crammed in the wastepaper basket, just the cardboard packaging for some lip gloss. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wastepaper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wastepaper was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near wastepaper

Cite this Entry

“Wastepaper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wastepaper. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wastepaper

noun
waste·​pa·​per ˈwās(t)-ˈpā-pər How to pronounce wastepaper (audio)
: paper thrown away as used, not needed, or not fit for use

More from Merriam-Webster on wastepaper

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