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 before another noun

a sanitation truck

sanitation workers

Examples of sanitation in a Sentence

Diseases can spread from poor sanitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those requirements include controls for sanitation, time and temperature, along with other rules governing meat production. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

Immigrant rights groups filed a federal class-action lawsuit against DHS this year alleging poor drinking water, food, sanitation and medical care at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, and a federal judge ordered improvements. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

The co-working space that houses the newsroom had a fire inspection but wasn’t required to have one for sanitation. — Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica, 5 Oct. 2026

In addition, orchard sanitation can interrupt the apple maggot’s life cycle. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sanitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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