wastebasket

American  

[weyst-bas-kit, -bah-skit] / ˈweɪstˌbæs kɪt, -ˌbɑ skɪt /

noun

1. a standing basket for wastepaper, small items of trash, etc.

---

wastebasket British  

/ ˈweɪstˌbɑːskɪt /

noun

1. Also called (esp in Britain): wastepaper basket.  an open receptacle for paper and other dry litter

---

Etymology

Origin of wastebasket

First recorded in 1855–60; waste + basket

Example Sentences

Do it once, but make sure to sit beside a wastebasket.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2025

These commitments are important, as they give Kennedy something to wad up and christen his wastebasket with when he steps into his new office.

From Slate • Feb. 8, 2025

This trend should be in the same wastebasket as mullets, microwave dinners and inflated lips.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2024

His allies then cleared out, taking the wastebasket with them.

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2021

The wastebasket was in my way, and so were the chairs, and I thought she had moved them.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Related Words

• dustbin