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 virus took root in Mongbwalu’s crowded gold-mining camps, where poor sanitation, misinformation and deep skepticism about hospitals have fueled nearly 500 infections and dozens of deaths in weeks. —Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Inspectors will be onsite to ensure sanitation, and customers must provide their IDs and complete a brief screening to participate. —Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

Ebola risk is low despite current outbreak Doctors Without Borders health workers wearing personal protective equipment move through the isolated red zone to monitor patients, provide medical care and ensure sanitation at the Ebola Treatment Center in Munigi in Congo on June 2, 2026. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 June 2026

Dozens of organizations, including United Nations agencies and private charities, mobilized to provide water containers, sanitation supplies and building materials. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026

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