cleanliness

noun

clean·​li·​ness ˈklen-lē-nəs How to pronounce cleanliness (audio)
: the quality or state of being clean : the practice of keeping oneself or one's surroundings clean
Though a stale remark, it can hardly be said too often, that personal cleanliness is one of the necessary agents to health …Walt Whitman
The Romans spent hours at their elaborate bathhouse complexes, but not everyone equated cleanliness with virtue …Sara Ivry
This cleanliness is necessary to ensure that no dust or particles end up on the silicon surface during the processing of the chip.Robert J. Cone

Examples of cleanliness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The system easily outperforms private hospitals in cleanliness, communication, and patient satisfaction; last spring, its outpatient clinics had a ninety-two-per-cent trust rating. David W. Brown, New Yorker, 12 June 2025 According to the researchers, the Midwest was the region with the most satisfied patients on average, with high scores around staff communication and hospital cleanliness in particular. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 The city is upgrading infrastructure, improving cleanliness and adding more trees and greenery throughout to create a more welcoming environment. Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 29 May 2025 Criteria include the presence of algae, the prevalence of rip tides and the cleanliness of the beach, plus air and water temperatures. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cleanliness

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleanliness was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Cleanliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleanliness. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cleanliness

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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