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

California is considering adopting new rules to better identify and more quickly to respond to dangerous methane leaks and underground fires at landfills statewide.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A vast canyon of buried garbage has been smoldering inside a landfill in the Santa Clarita Valley, inducing geysers of liquid waste onto the surface and noxious fumes into the air.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

During this period, plastic increasingly filled landfills and oceans while its production—up to 8 million tons annually by 2020—contributed to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Read more on Literature

SB 1383 requires that 75% of organic waste be diverted away from landfills by the end of the year and instead turned into compost.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Cities built near major bodies of water often create new land by dumping soil and rubble, called landfill, into bays and ocean inlets.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• depot 
• junkyard