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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 attributively
a sanitation truck
sanitation workers
Examples of sanitation in a Sentence
Diseases can spread from poor sanitation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Without power, pumps don’t work, and sanitation fails.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
The money has helped bring electricity to a reservation that never had electricity, expand access to high-speed internet, improve water sanitation, build roadways, and more.
—Aamer Madhani, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Oct. 2024
Streets had been closed off, cops milled around, and sanitation workers stood by, ready to start the arduous cleanup process whenever the event was over.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 24 Oct. 2024
Conflict has severely hampered humanitarian operations and collapsed public health services and accessible water and sanitation systems.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sanitation
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Word History
First Known Use
1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near sanitation
Cite this Entry
“Sanitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitation. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on sanitation
Nglish: Translation of sanitation for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sanitation for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sanitation
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