midden

noun

mid·​den ˈmi-dᵊn 

1

: dunghill

2

a

: a refuse heap

especially : kitchen midden

b

: a small pile (as of seeds, bones, or leaves) gathered by a rodent (such as a pack rat)

Examples of midden in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The midden is a testament to the volume of shellfish eaten by Hoabinhians. —Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025

This and oral reports evidenced that two even larger middens once existed nearby. —Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025

This behavior could help explain why historical Florida manatee populations that were hunted by humans are absent from middens and rarely mentioned in historical accounts. —Beth Brady, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025

Also plugging into the idea of tourism as education, marine biologist Cormac McGinley runs leave-no-trace fossil discovery walks and tours of the Burren’s lunar-like landscape, which take in sea caves, ancient middens, and color-popping anemones. —Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English midding, from Old Norse *mykdyngja, from myki dung + dyngja manure pile — more at dung

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing midden

• kitchen midden

Rhymes for midden

• bidden
• hidden
• ridden
• swidden
• bedridden
• unbidden
• gramicidin
• overridden

Kids Definition

midden

noun

mid·​den ˈmid-ᵊn 

: a refuse heap

especially : a mound (as of shells and bones) marking the place where prehistoric humans once lived