cleanliness

noun

clean·​li·​ness ˈklen-lē-nəs 

: 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

That includes everything from station cleanliness to overhauling the app. —Nick Caloway, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Sanitation officials said being mindful of an item’s cleanliness and size can go a long way. —Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026

Simple tasks like tackling odors, dirt, and grime don't require much time or effort but can significantly impact your home's cleanliness. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 16 Mar. 2026

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas ship, which premiered in 2001, ranked high in the CDC's list — proving that age is not necessarily linked to cleanliness. —Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cleanliness

• cleanliness is next to godliness