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 before another noun

a sanitation truck

sanitation workers

Examples of sanitation in a Sentence

Diseases can spread from poor sanitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Fresno Bee and several news outlets have reported for months about concerns of overcrowding, sanitation, medical negligence and extended isolation at the California City center and other facilities. —Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Special districts are local governments that deliver specialized services such as water, fire protection, and sanitation. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

Kennedy’s argument in the hearing—and his book—is that improvements in nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation led to large declines in infant and child deaths during the 20th century—not vaccines. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026

The medical breakthroughs of the 20th century—public health departments, vaccines, antibiotics, sanitation, lifestyle medicine—changed that trajectory. —Ken Dychtwald, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

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