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

And they’re working to divert three-fourths of the city’s food scraps and other organic waste away from landfills, as required under state law.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We do live in a very throw-away society, so it's a great project in order to take it from landfill," she said.

Read more on BBC

Among them is one unusual microbe that produces methane -- a gas more often associated with cows and landfills than humans.

Read more on Science Daily

It is streaming, often constantly, from facilities associated with the oil and gas industry, landfills and dairy farms, among other sources.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bali's government will close a major landfill on the island this year, and has urged households to manage their organic waste.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• depot 
• junkyard