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 price of cooking gas has more than quadrupled, according to Hani Bafaqih, a water, sanitation and hygiene expert at the aid organization CARE in Yemen. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

The control of infectious disease—through advances in medicine, sanitation, and public health—removed one of the oldest limits on our growth. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

They were stranded on the riverbanks for weeks without proper sanitation, prompting a rotavirus outbreak. — Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

The challenge is knowing how to do it responsibly without weakening police and fire rescue, infrastructure, parks, senior programs, sanitation, and the services that protect our neighborhoods and property values. — Neil Kerch, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 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