litter

1 of 2

noun

lit·​ter ˈli-tər 

1

a

: a covered and curtained couch provided with shafts and used for carrying a single passenger

a litter carried on the shoulders of four men

—Edwin Tunis

b

: a device (such as a stretcher) for carrying a sick or injured person

The wounded soldier was carried to the rear by litter.

2

a(1)

: material used as bedding for animals

Fibrous peat was used as litter for livestock.

(2)

: material used to absorb the urine and feces of animals

b

: the uppermost slightly decayed layer of organic matter on the forest floor

3

: the offspring at one birth of a multiparous animal

a litter of puppies

4

a

: trash, wastepaper, or garbage lying scattered about

trying to clean up the roadside litter

b

: an untidy accumulation of objects

a shabby writing-desk covered with a litter of yellowish dusty documents

—Joseph Conrad

littery

ˈli-tə-rē 

adjective

Illustration of litter

• litter 1a

litter

2 of 2

verb

littered; littering; litters

transitive verb

1

: bed sense 1a

2

: to give birth to a litter of (young)

3

a

: to strew with scattered articles

b

: to scatter about in disorder

c

: to lie about in disorder

their upside-down hats littered the top of the bar

—Michael Chabon

d

: to mark with objects scattered at random

a book littered with misprints

intransitive verb

1

: to give birth to a litter

2

: to strew litter

Synonyms

Noun

• variety
• assortment
• jumble
• collage
• medley
• clutter

Examples of litter in a Sentence

Noun

We decided to pick up the litter in the park.

Her desk was covered with a litter of legal documents.

Verb

Paper and popcorn littered the streets after the parade.

a desk littered with old letters and bills

It is illegal to litter.

He had to pay a fine for littering.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a world of transfers and revenue sharing, though, the Bears remain runts of the litter. —Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025

Operations include tractors pulling raking machines, supporting crews of laborers who pick up litter and empty trash cans by hand and beach sweepers who clear paths for pedestrians and bike trail users. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025

Verb

Heritage Farmhouse Entryway Wall Shelf If your entryway is littered with coats, keys, and dog leashes with no home base, Pottery Barn’s Heritage Farmhouse Wall Shelf is an obvious purchase—especially at 40% off. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025

In a park where her children liked to play, dead fish littered the ground. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French litere, from lit bed, from Latin lectus — more at lie

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing litter

• anti-litter
• litter bin
• litter box
• litter tray
• the pick of the litter

Rhymes for litter

• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• fritter
• glitter
• hitter
• jitter
• knitter
• quitter
• ritter
• splitter
• titter

Kids Definition

litter

1 of 2 noun

lit·​ter ˈlit-ər 

1

a

: a covered and curtained couch with poles to use for handles that is used for carrying a single passenger

b

: a device (as a stretcher) for carrying a sick or injured person

2

: material spread in areas where farm animals (as cows or chickens) are kept especially to absorb their urine and feces

3

: the young born to an animal at a single time

a litter of puppies

4

: a messy collection of things scattered about : rubbish

litter

2 of 2 verb

1

: to give birth to young

2

a

: to cover with litter

b

: to scatter about in disorder

c

: to lie about in disorder

Medical Definition

litter

1 of 2 noun

lit·​ter ˈlit-ər 

1

: a device (as a stretcher) for carrying a sick or injured person

2

: the offspring at one birth of a multiparous animal

litter

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to give birth to a litter of (young)

intransitive verb

: to give birth to a litter