landslide

[ land-slahyd ]

/ ˈlændˌslaɪd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for landslide on Thesaurus.com

noun Also called, especially British, land·slip

[land-slip] /ˈlændˌslɪp/ (for defs. 1, 2).

the downward falling or sliding of a mass of soil, detritus, or rock on or from a steep slope.

the mass itself.

an election in which a particular victorious candidate or party receives an overwhelming mass or majority of votes: the 1936 landslide for Roosevelt.

any overwhelming victory: She won the contest by a landslide.

verb (used without object), land·slid, land·slid or land·slid·den, land·slid·ing.

to come down in or as in a landslide.

to win an election by an overwhelming majority.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of landslide

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; land + slide

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH landslide

avalanche, landslide

Words nearby landslide

landshark, Landshut, landside, landskip, landsknecht, landslide, Landsmål, landsman, landsmanshaft, land snail, Landsteiner

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use landslide in a sentence

The force of the landslide may have actually broken off that piece of hanging glacier, he says.
Three things to know about the disastrous flood in India|Carolyn Gramling|February 9, 2021|Science News
The party won November elections in a landslide, capturing 396 out of 476 seats in the country’s second democratic vote since the end of direct military rule.
In Myanmar coup, Suu Kyi’s ouster heralds return to military rule|Shibani Mahtani, Timothy McLaughlin|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Voters across the political spectrum spoke loud and clear, passing Prop 22 in a landslide.
Gig workers, SEIU file lawsuit alleging Prop 22 is unconstitutional|Megan Rose Dickey|January 12, 2021|TechCrunch
Aubrey Plaza, of “Parks and Recreation,” won by a landslide.
Lovely, little Delaware — long famous for corporations, chickens and credit cards — is ready for its big moment|Karen Heller|January 12, 2021|Washington Post

People have lost their lives by seemingly random landslides, and now that this dataset exists scientists can begin to model and predict where and when a cliff might fall after a big storm, say.
Morning Report: Looking Back on the Tech Boondoggles of 2020|Voice of San Diego|December 29, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The election of 1964 produced the most liberal Congress since the Democratic landslide of 1936.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We believe in Him by a landslide 74 percent to 26 percent margin.
Up to a Point: Thanks to the Biggest Turkey, Uncle Sam|P. J. O’Rourke|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hispanic Republican moderate Brian Sandoval just won a landslide reelection in Nevada.
Could This Be the First Pro-Choice Republican on a National Ticket?|David Freedlander|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Ohio governor is about to score a landslide win in a state Republicans need to win the White House.
John Kasich: The GOP’s Hobbled 2016 Dark Horse|W. James Antle III|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But after winning a landslide election in his own right, TR unwisely said he would not run for a third term.
From The Square Deal to The New Deal: The Overlapping Political Identities of TR and FDR|John Avlon|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Val had reached the blocked pass and was already endeavoring to climb up and over the landslide when Gale caught up with her.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O|Clair Blank
Lead failed to do it, but God sent the landslide, and you are as good as dead.
Frank Merriwell's Pursuit|Burt L. Standish
I was nearly killed in a landslide, and now the men who saved me from that are done for.
Riders of the Silences|John Frederick
The falling of the stones had been followed by some dirt, and now a regular landslide came after, burying him up to the armpits.
The Boy Land Boomer|Ralph Bonehill
Next instant like a miniature landslide, he went plunging down the perilous slope.
Red Dynamite|Roy J. Snell

British Dictionary definitions for landslide

landslide

/ (ˈlændˌslaɪd) /

noun

Also called: landslip

the sliding of a large mass of rock material, soil, etc, down the side of a mountain or cliff
the material dislodged in this way

an overwhelming electoral victory
(as modifier)a landslide win

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for landslide

landslide

[ lănd′slīd′ ]

The rapid downward sliding of a mass of earth and rock. Landslides usually move over a confined area. Many kinds of events can trigger a landslide, such as the oversteepening of slopes by erosion associated with rivers, glaciers, or ocean waves; heavy snowmelt which saturates soil and rock; or earthquakes that lead to the failure of weak slopes.

The mass of soil and rock that moves in this way.

landslide

Origin of landslide

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH landslide

Words nearby landslide

Words related to landslide

How to use landslide in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for landslide

Scientific definitions for landslide