sanitation

noun

san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsa-nə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce sanitation (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If families are starving, struggling to pay school fees, or living without safety or sanitation, they cannot be asked to protect the environment. Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Keep Food Areas Clean Practice smart sanitation in the kitchen. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025 In May, a Florida mom captured her toddler's sweet interaction with a local sanitation worker. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 But, subsequent inspection reports at three of the company's other facilities—ones in Arkansas, Indiana, and a second plant in Virginia—have turned up similar sanitation problems. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanitation

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanitation was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitation. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

sanitation

noun
san·​i·​ta·​tion ˌsan-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce sanitation (audio)
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 How to pronounce sanitation (audio)
1
: the act or process of making sanitary
2
: the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions
mouth sanitation

More from Merriam-Webster on sanitation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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