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 attributively

a sanitation truck

sanitation workers

Examples of sanitation in a Sentence

Diseases can spread from poor sanitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The teams planned to bring along well testing and well sanitation kits in case those were needed right away. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025

Currently, the health post is the only place to make this type of flour, but sanitation is a key concern. —Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Their village lacks toilets and sanitation, and people defecate in the open, which health officials say puts around 2,000 other children at risk of contracting polio, which can be spread by contact with human waste. —Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025

The spokesperson also said that unannounced sanitation inspections, monitoring and assisting with gastrointestinal outbreaks and tracking and reporting illnesses on cruise ships has not stopped and the work will now be done by U.S. Public Health Service officers. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025

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