landslide

1 of 2

noun

land·​slide ˈlan(d)-ˌslīd How to pronounce landslide (audio)
1
: the usually rapid downward movement of a mass of rock, earth, or artificial fill on a slope
also : the mass that moves down
2
a
: a great majority of votes for one side
b
: an overwhelming victory

landslide

2 of 2

verb

landslid ˈlan(d)-ˌslid How to pronounce landslide (audio) ; landsliding ˈlan(d)-ˌslī-diŋ How to pronounce landslide (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to produce a landslide
2
: to win an election by a heavy majority

Examples of landslide in a Sentence

Noun The earthquake triggered a landslide. They were buried under the landslide. The presidential election turned out to be one of the biggest landslides in history. She won the election by a landslide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
After that, another landslide at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a historic San Clemente landmark known for its panoramic ocean views, halted service, upending passenger and freight rail service along the coast. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024 Ohio's choice won the Electoral College in every four-year showdown from Lyndon Johnson's landslide in 1964 to Donald Trump's upset win in 2016. Ron Elving, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024 Full passenger train service between San Diego and Orange counties is expected to resume Monday after the completion of a barrier wall to protect the railroad tracks from a San Clemente landslide triggered by seasonal rains. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2024 In other words, whenever the results were in landslide territory, there was strong evidence of tampering. Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 While the election hasn't been called yet, early results show voters approved the ballot measure by a landslide. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 With all his real adversaries in prison, exiled or dead, his landslide victory is all but certain. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 Nick Burks, 37, died following a landslide on a chute at Gunsight Mountain near Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort on Wednesday, the Baker County Sheriff's Office said. Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Amtrak will resume limited passenger service Wednesday through the area below a San Clemente landslide that has stopped train traffic since Jan. 24. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Of the 195 votes cast by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and select broadcasters, Bergeron garnered a whopping 160 first-place votes en route to landslide win. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2022 Wins were not guaranteed to arrive right away, but Aston believed the Roadrunners could captivate fans with pace and enthusiasm, leaving behind the tendency to wilt or allow games to landslide at the first misstep. Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'landslide.' 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

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of landslide was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near landslide

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

landslide

noun
land·​slide
ˈlan(d)-ˌslīd
1
: the slipping down of a mass of rocks or earth on a steep slope
also : the mass of material that slides
2
: an overwhelming victory especially in an election
won by a landslide
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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