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 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
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.
When an emergency hits, UNICEF moves quickly — with rapid needs assessments, surge staff deployments, pre-positioned stocks, and delivery of safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, and child protection services. — Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The union alleged in the complaint that the employer has violated several California codes regarding workplace health and sanitation, including maintaining a sanitary condition and limiting vermin. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 The emergency response was slow, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded in a football stadium with little food, water, and sanitation. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 The paper — like Hossain — calls for trials in places where poor sanitation is a factor in high rates of diarrheal disease, targeting particularly young children next. — Joseph Kim, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for sanitation

See All Rhymes for sanitation

Browse Nearby Words

sanitate
sanitation
sanitation cutting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitation. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of sanitation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sanitation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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