landfill

[land-fil]

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

/ ˈlændˌfɪl /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      landfill sites

landfill

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of landfill¹

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

Example Sentences

That complaint alleged that UPS sent improperly labeled hazardous waste to area landfills.

From Los Angeles Times

Bioprospecting in landfills, for example, might turn up microbes that have started eating not only plastic but all sorts of other waste, he says.

From BBC

They waded through a field of charred debris, gathering up fire-gnarled steel rods, metal door frames and structural beams into piles, which were later loaded onto dump trucks and hauled away to landfills.

From Los Angeles Times

Wildlife, water and toxic waste worries have been raised by people living near one of Europe's largest illegal landfill sites as officials look at clean-up options.

From BBC

The landfill site in Ampara was created more than a decade ago near a protected wildlife zone that is home to about 300 elephants.

From BBC

Related Words

• depot 
• junkyard