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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:

Parts intended for the scrap heap were used on the Dreamliner, we are told.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

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

Police are warning that more illegal and modified e-bikes will be seized in the coming months and say they will end up on the scrap heap.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2025

This is another that belongs on the scrap heap.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2025

He is perhaps best known for this quote: “We will turn this prison from a scrap heap into a repair shop.”

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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