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

Example Sentences

the nurse made sure that everything in the room was sanitary so that the baby wouldn't get sick
Recent Examples on the Web Both types of materials are easy to keep clean and sanitary. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2023 Rehabilitation of the city’s sanitary sewers started this week on Washington Street from Benton Avenue to Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville. Suzanne Baker, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2023 Some scientists have argued that use of the word hygiene is an unfortunate misnomer that discourages people from being sanitary. Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2021 Inmates, lawyers and human rights advocates say the conditions inside that facility are also inhumane, citing overcrowding, frequent loss of heating and poor sanitary conditions overall. Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 Dec. 2022 Utility work involving some sanitary sewer infrastructure also will need to be done. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 10 Dec. 2021 Hookworms had their heyday during the Civil War, when levels of infection exploded due to substandard living conditions, poor health and lack of sanitary infrastructure (j). Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2011 The group said Haghighi was detained after her arrest in a facility east of Tehran that has been criticized by human rights groups for its poor health and sanitary conditions. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2023 Workers told reporters of bosses who threatened them with guns or physical violence, of living on remote work sites without housing or sanitary facilities or access to food, and of fraudulent promises of pay. Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sanitary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Dictionary Entries Near sanitary

Cite this Entry

“Sanitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitary. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

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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