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Synonyms

scrap heap

American  
Or scrapheap

noun

  1. a pile of old, discarded material, as metal.

  2. a place for dumping old, useless things.


Etymology

Origin of scrap heap

First recorded in 1830–40; scrap 1 + heap

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.

See Examples For:

Among the items destined for the scrap heap is the gantry, which once sheltered Soyuz rockets from the tropical weather.

From Barron's Feb. 18, 2026

This is another that belongs on the scrap heap.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 27, 2025

"It's absolutely infuriating that a treatable condition like this is ignored and that women are put on the scrap heap," said Lipoedema UK's head of research Dr Lesley Steinitz.

From BBC Feb. 18, 2025

If that’s what’s best for her, then he’s OK with being cast on the scrap heap.

From Salon Aug. 26, 2024

Next problem: finding uses for all the animal parts that were ending up on the scrap heap.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

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