sanitation
Americannoun
-
the development and application of sanitary measures for the sake of cleanliness, protecting health, etc.
-
the disposal of sewage and solid waste.
noun
Etymology
Origin of sanitation
First recorded in 1840–50; sanit(ary) + -ation
Explanation
Sanitation has to do with making things clean, especially by sterilizing. Have you ever used hand sanitizer to make sure your hands are germ-free? Then you should have an idea what sanitation is: making something clean (sanitary). Sanitation workers pick up your garbage, keeping your neighborhood clean. Sanitation is important in restaurants and also for surgical instruments. You wouldn't want a surgeon to touch you with an instrument that hadn't gone through sanitation, because it would probably have germs.
Vocabulary lists containing sanitation
Africa - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Africa - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Africa - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It affects the water and sanitation policy. It affects socio-economic development because any form of development must benefit the community," he told AFP.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
Raman has said in campaign materials she would expand the mayor’s community safety office to oversee unarmed crisis response programs as well as other city agencies such as sanitation, fire and transportation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
After leading a technological upgrade for the NYPD, Ms. Tisch landed her “dream job” as sanitation commissioner and did to the city’s rat population what she has lately been doing to street crime.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
During the subsequent appeal, seven objectors expressed concerns about the changes at the land linked to sanitation, stray animals and unusual noises.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
One man said he was a sanitation worker from Houston.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
