landfill

noun

land·​fill ˈlan(d)-ˌfil How to pronounce landfill (audio)
1
: an area built up by landfill
2
: a system of trash and garbage disposal in which the waste is buried between layers of earth to build up low-lying land

called also sanitary landfill

landfill transitive verb

Examples of landfill in a Sentence

using landfill to dispose of trash Part of the city was built on landfill.
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.
And the Leather and Hide Council of America estimates that one metric ton of hides in a landfill generates more than 13 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Jennifer Bringle, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024 Thousands of unwanted gifts end up in the landfill each year, adding up to more than 5 billion pounds of holiday waste. Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2024 Additionally, aluminum doesn't decompose in landfills, contributing to long-term environmental pollution. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024 They can be sent to landfill, turned into mulch, burned or even sunk into lakes to provide fish habitat. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for landfill 

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of landfill was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near landfill

Cite this Entry

“Landfill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landfill. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

landfill

noun
land·​fill -ˌfil How to pronounce landfill (audio)
1
: a system of trash and garbage disposal in which the waste is buried between layers of earth
2
: an area built up by landfill

More from Merriam-Webster on landfill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!