landfill

American  

[land-fil] / ˈlændˌfɪl /

noun

1. a low area of land that is built up from deposits of solid refuse in layers covered by soil.

2. the solid refuse itself.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to create more usable land by this means.

verb (used with object)

1. to make (an area of land) by means of a landfill.

2. to use in a landfill.

   to landfill millions of tons of garbage each year.

landfill British  

/ ˈlændˌfɪl /

noun

1. 1. disposal of waste material by burying it under layers of earth

   2. ( as modifier )

      landfill sites

---

landfill Scientific  

/ lănd′fĭl′ /

1. A disposal site where solid waste, such as paper, glass, and metal, is buried between layers of dirt and other materials in such a way as to reduce contamination of the surrounding land. Modern landfills are often lined with layers of absorbent material and sheets of plastic to keep pollutants from leaking into the soil and water.

2. Also called sanitary landfill

---

Etymology

Origin of landfill

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; land + fill

Example Sentences

Another pair of students did a big project where they helped recycle athletic shoes to keep them out of the landfill.

From Literature

A British-French team of researchers attempted to cover all the different ways that plastic affects health, from oil and gas extraction during production to all the products that end up in landfills.

From Barron's

"The surplus curry has always been focused on saving the surplus from the landfill, and therefore we encourage everyone, from any walk of life, to walk in and enjoy it," Jamshidifard said.

From BBC

The trust runs a community members-only store in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, which sells food donated by supermarkets, or that would otherwise go to landfill, at heavily discounted rate.

From BBC

The material can also be repaired, which may lower long-term construction costs and significantly reduce how much waste ends up in landfills.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• depot
• junkyard