sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsa-nə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or process of making sanitary

2

: the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions (as by removal of sewage and trash)

—often used attributively

a sanitation truck

sanitation workers

Examples of sanitation in a Sentence

Diseases can spread from poor sanitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Local officials have warned that a lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation conditions could lead to a disease outbreak. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

Ladson was pinned against the edge of the sanitation truck’s hopper. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024

Two groups of residents have already filed suit against L.A.’s sanitation department over air quality issues immediately after the spill, one specifically alleging the city’s failure to monitor noxious gases. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Investments are imperative to restore systems to deliver essential basic services, like education, water and sanitation, health, nutrition, social welfare and social protection, leaving no child behind. —Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsan-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or process of making sanitary

2

: the promotion of community hygiene and disease prevention especially by keeping up sewage systems, by collecting and disposing of trash and garbage, and by cleaning streets

Medical Definition

sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsan-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or process of making sanitary

2

: the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions

mouth sanitation