superfund

[ soo-per-fuhnd ]

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. a large fund set up to finance an expensive program or project.

Word History and Origins

Origin of superfund¹

First recorded in 1980–85; super- + fund

Example Sentences

Local officials and more than 500 residents have signed a petition asking the Environmental Protection Agency to declare the river a Superfund site and look into the presence of hazardous waste in the riverbed.

From Los Angeles Times

Muddying matters further, the county supervisors voted last month to delay consideration of a petition asking the EPA to declare the river a Superfund site.

From Los Angeles Times

A petition is the first step in a lengthy process that could take years, even if the EPA decides the river is eligible for a Superfund designation.

From Los Angeles Times

The Voice of San Diego news site reported that Vargas voted against the EPA petition out of concern that a Superfund designation could halt her project to clean up the South Bay to create parks for underserved communities.

From Los Angeles Times

Uribe, who signed the EPA petition, worries that his property’s value could be affected if a Superfund site is declared, or even that his property could be taken through eminent domain.

From Los Angeles Times