landfill

American  

[land-fil] / ˈlændˌfɪl /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈlændˌfɪl /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      landfill sites

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landfill Scientific  

/ lănd′fĭl′ /

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

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Etymology

Origin of landfill

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

Explanation

A landfill is a pit that is covered with dirt after being filled with waste of some kind. Some landfills are filled in with rocks for the specific purpose of raising the earth and building something on it. Garbage dumps are often called landfills, even when they're not literal pits that are filled and covered, and while "hole full of trash" might be your first thought when you hear the word, landfills are often simply a way of solidifying the ground for building. Many port cities, including Boston and Portland, Maine, have entire neighborhoods, once just areas covered in water, that were built on landfills.

Example Sentences

From afar, Chile's Tiltil landfill almost resembles just another mountain, but the growing rubbish pile has created a daily nightmare of odors, flies and health concerns for residents nearby.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

It has been linked to a landfill site in the southernmost tip of Argentina, popular with birdwatchers.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

The liberty cities model of fewer regulations, however, has also brought with it the challenge of dealing with a landfill that moved in just outside the tiny city’s boundaries.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Instead of sending it to the landfill, I repurposed the fabric into stuff sacks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Our school has three bins for waste—one for compost, one for recycling, and one for landfill trash—so when I throw it away, I separate it.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

• depot
• junkyard