landslide

1 of 2

noun

land·​slide ˈlan(d)-ˌslīd 

1

: the usually rapid downward movement of a mass of rock, earth, or artificial fill on a slope

also : the mass that moves down

2

a

: a great majority of votes for one side

b

: an overwhelming victory

landslide

2 of 2

verb

landslid ˈlan(d)-ˌslid  ; landsliding ˈlan(d)-ˌslī-diŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to produce a landslide

2

: to win an election by a heavy majority

Examples of landslide in a Sentence

Noun

The earthquake triggered a landslide.

They were buried under the landslide.

The presidential election turned out to be one of the biggest landslides in history.

She won the election by a landslide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But Berkshire Hathaway cautions that the country’s Alpine regions pose a growing risk due to avalanches and landslides, which have become more common with the changing climate. —Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Despite going up against several hot new releases, JENNIE’s song won the vote by a landslide, coming in at over 81% by the time the poll closed on Sunday. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2024

Verb

In rural Appalachia, where landslides scarred slopes and water thundered into narrow valleys, damage from Helene is severe and recovery slow. —Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024

Of the 195 votes cast by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and select broadcasters, Bergeron garnered a whopping 160 first-place votes en route to landslide win. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

landslide

noun

land·​slide

ˈlan(d)-ˌslīd

1

: the slipping down of a mass of rocks or earth on a steep slope

also : the mass of material that slides

2

: an overwhelming victory especially in an election

won by a landslide