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

Explanation

When dirt and rock from a mountainside are sliding down, call it a landslide. Another kind of landslide takes place when one candidate soundly defeats another in an election. With either type of landslide, it's probably safest to stay out of the way! The political meaning of landslide is commonly used, but it's not the word's original definition. A geographical landslide occurs when a huge amount of earth slides down a slope or mountain, usually displacing rocks and vegetation and often houses and buildings as well. Landslides are caused by erosion, heavy rain, and earthquakes, among other events, and they're disruptive enough to give rise to the figurative meaning.

Example Sentences

The research team is the first to carry out a systematic analysis of these short, impulsive seismic events near the Barry Landslide.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025

Unable to say goodbye to her lifelong bandmate, Nicks spoke of the pain she experienced every time she sang "Landslide" on her solo tour this year, saying, "I cry every single night."

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2024

The Landslide Index allows users to request reports and other documentation of landslides in a specific area.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024

Together, they duetted on Stop Dragging My Heart Around and Landslide, while Styles wore an embroidered songbird badge, referring to McVie's track Songbird from the 1977 album, Rumours.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2024

Landslide makes me think of rocks and dirt falling down a mountain.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• avalanche
• mudslide