burn pit

American  

[burn pit] / ˈbɜrn ˌpɪt /

noun

1. an area used for the open-air burning of trash and/or brush.

   The county banned residential burn pits years ago, but every so often it’s obvious that someone’s burning a pile of twigs and leaves.

2. U.S. Military. an often expansive area, at or adjacent to a base of operations, used for the uncontrolled, open-air burning of military waste, including plastics, chemicals, rubber, paint, fuels, munitions, human and medical waste, metals, and electronics: generative of toxic smoke and fumes that have been associated with a number of short- and long-term ailments suffered by exposed military personnel and civilians.

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Etymology

Origin of burn pit

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

One was in stable but critical condition at Los Angeles General Medical Center’s burn unit and the other remained admitted for observation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Scott said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 16, 2024

Farr’s mother, Laura Volk, 48, and her boyfriend, David Brewer, 55, were being treated Monday in the burn unit at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia.

From Washington Times • Aug. 15, 2023

Doctors Without Borders, which was already in northwest Syria, said it is continuing to support seven hospitals, health-care centers and a burn unit in the area.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2023

They had already been transferred to a burn unit at a hospital in the capital, she said, giving no details about their onward destination.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2023

From the emergency room, Sasha was taken to the burn unit.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater