wastebasket
noun
waste·bas·ket
ˈwās(t)-ˌba-skət 
: a receptacle for refuse and especially for wastepaper
called also wastepaper basket
Examples of wastebasket in a Sentence
She tossed the wrapper into the wastebasket.
Recent Examples on the Web
This wastebasket-size 600-watt box generated power for just 43 days before a voltage regulator broke.
—
Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Stale ashtrays and spittoons were everywhere, along with wastebaskets surrounded by mounds of misaimed and crumpled papers.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Safety tips ▪ Always keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, wastebaskets or anything that may be flammable.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
First, collect any small bags that are full (such as those from bathroom wastebaskets) and add them to the kitchen trash.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wastebasket
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Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Stale ashtrays and spittoons were everywhere, along with wastebaskets surrounded by mounds of misaimed and crumpled papers.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Safety tips ▪ Always keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, wastebaskets or anything that may be flammable.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
First, collect any small bags that are full (such as those from bathroom wastebaskets) and add them to the kitchen trash.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wastebasket
Cite this Entry
“Wastebasket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wastebasket. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wastebasket
noun
waste·bas·ket
ˈwās(t)-ˌbas-kət
: an open container for trash and especially wastepaper
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