sanitary

adjective

san·​i·​tary ˈsa-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce sanitary (audio)
1
: of or relating to health
sanitary measures
2
: of, relating to, or used in the disposal especially of domestic waterborne waste
a sanitary sewer system
3
: characterized by or readily kept in cleanliness
sanitary packages
sanitarily adverb

Examples of sanitary in a Sentence

the nurse made sure that everything in the room was sanitary so that the baby wouldn't get sick
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.
However, in March approximately 10,000 gallons of wastewater was mistakenly released by contractors of the sewerage district into a storm sewer rather than the sanitary sewer. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Hunger and disease are hitting a breaking point in Gaza, while the U.S. government is stepping back from what was once a major role in helping establish sanitary conditions and bring health care and food to other nations worldwide. Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 Tim Kingsland, sanitary/stormwater district coordinator, said workers will inventory all the city’s stormwater infrastructure including manholes, pipes, ponds and swales. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025 Even though your nails will have been (or should have been) properly cleaned and sanitized before the base coat of polish is applied, communal pots can never be fully sanitary. Rebecca Dancer, Allure, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanitary

Word History

Etymology

French sanitaire, from Latin sanitas

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanitary was in 1838

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitary. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

sanitary

adjective
san·​i·​tary ˈsan-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce sanitary (audio)
1
: of or relating to health : hygienic
sanitary laws
2
: free from filth, infection, or dangers to health

Medical Definition

sanitary

adjective
san·​i·​tary ˈsan-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce sanitary (audio)
1
: of or relating to health
sanitary measures
2
: of, relating to, or used in the disposal especially of domestic waterborne waste
sanitary sewage
3
: characterized by or readily kept in cleanliness
sanitary food handling
sanitarily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sanitary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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