san
San (noun) means informal short form of sanatorium. Example: “He spent six months recovering in the san after his surgery.”
How to Use San
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither shorthand for "sanatorium," or the name of the indigenous San peoples of southern Africa.
The sanatorium sense is informal, mostly British usage.
Word Forms
sans plural, sans plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He spent six months recovering in the _____ after his surgery.
Related Words
Rhymes for san
See all rhymes for san →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “san” mean?
The word “san” means informal short form of sanatorium. In plain terms, either shorthand for "sanatorium," or the name of the indigenous San peoples of southern Africa.
How do you pronounce “san”?
“San” is pronounced SAN (/ˈsæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “san” in a sentence?
Here is “san” used in a sentence: “He spent six months recovering in the san after his surgery.”
What part of speech is “san”?
“San” is a noun.
Is “san” a common word?
“San” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “san” have?
“San” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal short form of sanatorium.
What does 'san' mean?
San is an informal, shortened word for a sanatorium: a medical facility where people with long-term illness go to be treated or to recover. The term was especially common when tuberculosis was widespread, when patients might spend months in 'the san'. It is casual, clipped English rather than a formal medical label.
What is a sanatorium?
A sanatorium is an institution for treating chronic illness or for rest and recovery, historically used for diseases such as tuberculosis that needed long stays, fresh air, and supervised care. Some were also health retreats where people went to recuperate. 'San' is simply the everyday short form of this longer word.