sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsa-nə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce sanitation (audio)
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanitation was in 1848

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 How to pronounce sanitation (audio)
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 How to pronounce sanitation (audio)
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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