sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsa-nə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or process of making sanitary

2

: the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions (as by removal of sewage and trash)

—often used before another noun

a sanitation truck

sanitation workers

Examples of sanitation in a Sentence

Diseases can spread from poor sanitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The city’s proposal to donate services from police, fire-rescue, sanitation and more follows a request from the local World Cup host committee, which is independent of FIFA, according to the legislation. —Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2025

Expectations of sanitation competed with early-20th-century ideas about purity and propriety. —Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025

These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy to expand access to adequate housing, advance the universalization of basic sanitation, and promote social inclusion across Brazilian cities and regions. —Anacláudia Rossbach, Time, 13 Nov. 2025

Envision 2024 debuted a waterless, off-grid sanitation model using dry-composting toilets. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sanitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsan-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or process of making sanitary

2

: the promotion of community hygiene and disease prevention especially by keeping up sewage systems, by collecting and disposing of trash and garbage, and by cleaning streets

Medical Definition

sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsan-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or process of making sanitary

2

: the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions

mouth sanitation