waste
noun
\
Definition of waste
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : a sparsely settled or barren region : desert
b : uncultivated land
c : a broad and empty expanse (as of water)
3a : loss through breaking down of bodily tissue
b : gradual loss or decrease by use, wear, or decay
4a : damaged, defective, or superfluous material produced by a manufacturing process: such as
(1) : material rejected during a textile manufacturing process and used usually for wiping away dirt and oil cotton waste
(2) : scrap
(3) : an unwanted by-product of a manufacturing process, chemical laboratory, or nuclear reactor toxic waste hazardous waste nuclear waste
c : material derived by mechanical and chemical weathering of the land and moved down sloping surfaces or carried by streams to the sea
waste
verbDefinition of waste (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : to lay waste especially : to damage or destroy gradually and progressively reclaiming land wasted by strip-mining
3 : to wear away or diminish gradually : consume
4a : to spend or use carelessly : squander waste valuable resources
b : to allow to be used inefficiently or become dissipated a writer wasting her talent
5 : kill also : to injure severely
1 : to lose weight, strength, or vitality —often used with away was wasting away from illness
2a : to become diminished in bulk or substance
b : to become consumed
3 : to spend money or consume property extravagantly or improvidently
: to accomplish nothing by speaking
waste
adjectiveDefinition of waste (Entry 3 of 3)
2 : being in a ruined or devastated condition
3 [ 1waste ]
a : discarded as worthless, defective, or of no use : refuse waste material
b : excreted from or stored in inert form in a living body as a by-product of vital activity waste products
4 [ 1waste ] : serving to conduct or hold refuse material a waste barrel specifically : carrying off superfluous water a waste drain
5 : wasted sense 4
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Synonyms & Antonyms for waste
Synonyms: Noun
Synonyms: Verb
blow, dissipate, fiddle away, fritter (away), lavish, lose, misspend, run through, spend, squander, throw away, trifle (away)
Synonyms: Adjective
barren, bony (also boney), dead, desolate, hardscrabble, impoverished, infertile, poor, stark, unfertile, unproductive
Antonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Adjective
fertile, fruitful, lush, luxuriant, productive, rich
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Examples of waste in a Sentence
Noun
The current system causes a lot of waste. We need to find ways to reduce unnecessary waste. These old computers are still useful. It seems like such a waste to throw them away. Any further investment would be a waste of valuable resources. The city oversees waste disposal contracts.Verb
Don't waste water during the summer drought. He always wasted his money on useless gadgets. Turn off the lights so we don't waste electricity. I think he's just wasting my time. We can't afford to waste so much food. We can't afford to waste this opportunity.Adjective
waste acreage that was not fit for anything
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Inevitably, because of this attitude, Apple owners may be more likely to simply buy a new device instead of repairing a current one or refurbishing an old one, which increases the amount of e-waste on the planet. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Apple confirms its T2 security chip blocks some third-party repairs of new Macs," 12 Nov. 2018 In 2016, Alaska Airlines ran a test replacing 20 percent of its jet fuel with wood-waste alcohol. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Tonight a Virgin Atlantic 747 will fly on fuel made from industrial waste gas," 2 Oct. 2018 All told, the speakers are made from 80 percent biodegradable materials, an impressive feat in an industry known for creating large amounts of e-waste. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Hand-thrown clay speakers marry craftsmanship and sustainability," 29 Aug. 2018 As reported by Bustle, the vegan brand recently released its first zero-waste product, the [Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone Palette]. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Aether Beauty Launches First Zero-Waste Eyeshadow Palette," 20 July 2018 Los Angeles bartenders such as Kim Stodel at Providence, known for his sustainable, zero-waste bar program, and chef Neal Fraser and bar director Tobin Shea at Redbird LA are already picking up on it. — Brandy Gonsoulin, chicagotribune.com, "Vodka — made from milk? Yes.," 27 June 2018 SUBSCRIBE TODAY California had one of the first e-waste programs in the nation, said Lance Klug, CalRecycle spokesperson. — Cassie Dickman, sacbee, "The list of electronics Californians must pay to recycle could get much longer," 31 May 2018 Check with your cell carrier and local municipalities for e-waste recycling programs. — Ken Colburn, azcentral, "Don't let them sit: Repurpose, recycle or donate your old cellphone," 14 May 2018 Supporters say the bill would help solve a nuclear-waste storage problem that has festered for more than three decades. — Frank Abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "Zion's effort to shed lakefront nuclear waste backed by U.S. House vote," 10 May 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Not wanting to waste money on taxis to save for her young daughter’s future and living in a rough Chicago neighborhood, Belle regularly power-runs to catch the bus for her on-call babysitting jobs late at night. — Fawnia Soo Hoo, Glamour, "The Costumes in Widows Mirror Each Woman’s Journey," 15 Nov. 2018 Developer Treyarch is wasting no time in addressing player concerns over the apparently unintended unbalancing. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Players are exploiting Black Ops 4 emotes to peek around corners," 15 Oct. 2018 According to the school, not a scrap of metal went to waste. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Shipping container school in Thailand teaches sustainable construction," 3 Oct. 2018 For Sophie, who was a lifelong fan of Justin's, didn't want to waste this moment and said yes, obvs. — Allie Gemmill, Teen Vogue, "Sophie Turner Had the Most Awkward Reaction When Joe Jonas Introduced Her to Justin Bieber," 27 Sep. 2018 But aware of the same possibility as Democrats that the Senate might change hands, Republicans don’t want to waste any time in getting Kavanaugh confirmed if the proceedings can substantially lift the cloud from his reputation. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Will a justice delayed be a justice denied?," 19 Sep. 2018 After each of his past five non-rain-delay outings, Andrew Cashner has been remarkably positive despite the disappointing results — that each start has gone to waste. — Eduardo A. Encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles' Cashner after another wasted quality start: 'It's just as hard for [the offense] as it is for me'," 6 July 2018 But then says fellow Republicans should stop wasting their time on immigration until after the election. — NBC News, "Meet the Press - June 24, 2018," 24 June 2018 Also, if a junior has not secured the necessary grades to be eligible for a Division I scholarship, a team might not want to waste a visit. — Aaron Reiss, kansascity, "Barry Odom, others have issues with college football's new early recruiting visits | The Kansas City Star," 23 May 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Fenced dog enclosure features fire hydrants, waste bag stations, picnic tables, trash cans and play features, 4700 Old Pearsall Road; sanantonio.gov. — Ingrid Wilgen, San Antonio Express-News, "Dog parks offer off-leash time and a place to play," 11 June 2018 That means waste heat, vented from cooling towers, losing 30 to 40 percent of the energy created by combustion. — David Roberts, Vox, "That natural gas power plant with no carbon emissions or air pollution? It works.," 1 June 2018 Luxuries such as a boiler, tanks for both fresh and waste water, a grill (stored in the van’s cargo hold), and portable camping chairs are part of the deal, too. — Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, "California XXL: A Gigantic Camper Van Brought to You by Volkswagen," 13 Sep. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waste.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for waste
waste
noun
English Language Learners Definition of waste
(Entry 1 of 3)
: loss of something valuable that occurs because too much of it is being used or because it is being used in a way that is not necessary or effective
: an action or use that results in the unnecessary loss of something valuable
: a situation in which something valuable is not being used or is being used in a way that is not appropriate or effective
waste
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of waste (Entry 2 of 3)
: to use (something valuable) in a way that is not necessary or effective : to use more of (something) than is necessary
: to use (something or someone) in a way that does not produce a valuable result or effect : to fail to use (something or someone) in an appropriate or effective way
: to kill or murder (someone)
waste
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of waste (Entry 3 of 3)
: of, relating to, or being material that is left over or unwanted after something has been made, done, used, etc.
See the full definition for waste in the English Language Learners Dictionary
waste
noun
\
Kids Definition of waste
(Entry 1 of 3)
1 : the action of spending or using carelessly or uselessly : the state of being spent or used carelessly or uselessly a waste of time
2 : material left over or thrown away
3 : material (as carbon dioxide in the lungs or urine in the kidneys) produced in and of no further use to the living body
4 : a large area of barren land : wasteland
waste
verbKids Definition of waste (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : to spend or use carelessly or uselessly
2 : to lose or cause to lose weight, strength, or energy His muscles were wasting away from lack of use.
3 : to bring to ruin
waste
adjectiveKids Definition of waste (Entry 3 of 3)
1 : being wild and without people or crops : barren waste areas
2 : of no further use Some waste materials can be recycled.
waste
noun
\
Medical Definition of waste
(Entry 1 of 3)
1 : loss through breaking down of bodily tissue
2 wastes plural : bodily waste materials : excrement
waste
verbMedical Definition of waste (Entry 2 of 3)
: to cause to shrink in physical bulk or strength : emaciate
: to lose weight, strength, or vitality —often used with away
waste
adjectiveMedical Definition of waste (Entry 3 of 3)
: excreted from or stored in inert form in a living body as a by-product of vital activity waste products
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waste
nounLegal Definition of waste
1
: destruction of or damage to property that is caused by the act or omission of one (as a lessee, mortgagor, or life tenant) having a lesser estate and is usually to the injury of another (as an heir, mortgagee, or remainderman) with an interest in the same property
an action for waste
: waste that leads to improvement of property (as by clearing the way for rebuilding something)
— called also
ameliorative waste
: waste caused by the failure of a tenant to take ordinary or proper care of the property
: waste caused by the intentional commission of a destructive act by a tenant
2 : a reduction of the value of assets (as in a trust) caused by a failure to exercise proper care or sound judgment in managing them especially : a transfer of corporate assets (as through excessive executive compensation or a merger) for no legitimate business purpose or for less than what a person of ordinary sound business judgment would consider to be adequate consideration the essence of a claim of waste of corporate assets is the diversion of corporate assets for improper or unnecessary purposes — Michelson v. Duncan, 407 A.2d 211 (1979)
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