Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

dumpster

American  
[duhmp-ster] / ˈdʌmp stər /
Or Dumpster

noun

  1. a large metal or plastic bin for refuse designed to be hoisted onto a specially equipped truck for emptying or hauling away.


Etymology

Origin of dumpster

First recorded in 1935–40; dump ( def. ) + -ster ( def. ), originally part of the jingle “Dempster Dumpster, ” a trademark for a large trash container manufactured by the Dempster Brothers Company in Knoxville, Tennessee

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And so-called artificial intelligence, of course, is adding napalm to this dumpster fire.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

In Darnold’s case, that fire was the dumpster blaze known as the New York Jets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Now, I have two stocks that I put in the dumpster category.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

The next circle is the CDC’s own reputation, which Kennedy has relegated to the dumpster.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

Heart has huge windows that go from the roof to the floor, but I duck behind the dumpster and into the bushes.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon