landslide

American  

[land-slahyd] / ˈlændˌslaɪd /

noun

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

2. the mass itself.

3. an election in which a particular victorious candidate or party receives an overwhelming mass or majority of votes.

   the 1936 landslide for Roosevelt.

4. any overwhelming victory.

   She won the contest by a landslide.

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verb (used without object)

landslid, landslid, landslidden, landsliding

1. to come down in or as in a landslide.

2. to win an election by an overwhelming majority.

landslide British  

/ ˈlændˌslaɪd /

noun

1. Also called: landslip. 

   1. the sliding of a large mass of rock material, soil, etc, down the side of a mountain or cliff

   2. the material dislodged in this way

2. 1. an overwhelming electoral victory

   2. ( as modifier )

      a landslide win

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landslide Scientific  

/ lănd′slīd′ /

1. 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.

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

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Etymology

Origin of landslide

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

Example Sentences

First, it was a series of strong atmospheric rivers in January 2023 that set off a troublesome landslide, again splitting up the world-famous drive along Big Sur’s iconic coastline.

From Los Angeles Times

If things start to go well, it’s fun, there’s nothing better—Mike Vrabel could run for governor of Massachusetts and Nantucket harbormaster and win both jobs in a landslide.

From The Wall Street Journal

The landslide occurred at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City last week while more than 100 workers were on site, officials said.

From BBC

These included roles in the Home Office and as an employment minister before he became secretary of state for Scotland in 1995, until his majority was swept away in the 1997 Labour landslide.

From BBC

In Argyll and Bute, the A815 at Rest and Be Thankful near Lochgoilhead, is closed in both directions following a landslide.

From BBC

Related Words

• avalanche
• mudslide