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 new funding will go toward hiring and expanding into public works and sanitation. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026

The agency identified the truck as a city of Los Angeles sanitation truck. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

In a review completed recently, the Cook County Office of the Independent Inspector General found persistent problems at the County Jail with supervision, maintenance, sanitation, and housing conditions. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Mazariegos, 41, favors expanding unarmed crisis response programs and shifting more resources toward neighborhood services, including streetlights, sanitation, parks and youth programs. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 3 Nov. 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