English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

sanitation

sa-nih-TAY-shuhn

Sanitation (noun) means Systems and practices for safely disposing of waste and keeping an area clean and healthy. Example: “Poor sanitation is a major cause of disease in the region.”

noun
1
Systems and practices for safely disposing of waste and keeping an area clean and healthy.
"Poor sanitation is a major cause of disease in the region."
"The city invested heavily in sanitation after the flood."

How to use sanitation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishKeeping a place clean and healthy by properly managing waste and hygiene.

Common pairings
sanitation system poor sanitation sanitation workers

Word forms

sanitations plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “sanitation” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Poor _____ is a major cause of disease in the region.

Etymology

Formed from "sanitary" plus the noun ending "-ation".

waste disposal sewage disposal sewerage public hygiene

Related words

Rhymes for sanitation

See all rhymes for sanitation →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sanitation” mean?

The word “sanitation” means systems and practices for safely disposing of waste and keeping an area clean and healthy. In plain terms, keeping a place clean and healthy by properly managing waste and hygiene.

How do you pronounce “sanitation”?

“Sanitation” is pronounced sa-nih-TAY-shuhn (/ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “sanitation” in a sentence?

Here is “sanitation” used in a sentence: “Poor sanitation is a major cause of disease in the region.”

What part of speech is “sanitation”?

“Sanitation” is a noun.

Is “sanitation” a common word?

“Sanitation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between sanitation and hygiene?

Sanitation refers to the systems and practices used to safely dispose of waste and keep an area clean, such as sewers and waste collection, while hygiene refers to personal habits and practices, like handwashing, that prevent illness. Sanitation is largely infrastructural and public, whereas hygiene is largely individual and behavioral.

What does sanitation typically include?

Sanitation typically includes systems for safely disposing of waste, such as sewage treatment and waste collection, along with practices for keeping public areas clean and healthy. It covers both the infrastructure involved and the ongoing upkeep needed to prevent disease.

Why is sanitation important for public health?

Sanitation is important because safely disposing of waste and keeping areas clean prevents the spread of disease-causing organisms that thrive in unsanitary conditions. Poor sanitation systems are directly linked to the spread of waterborne and other infectious illnesses.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial