landfill

noun

land·​fill ˈlan(d)-ˌfil How to pronounce landfill (audio)
Synonyms of landfillnext
1
: an area built up by landfill
2
: a system of trash and garbage disposal in which the waste is buried between layers of earth to build up low-lying land

called also sanitary landfill

landfill transitive verb

Synonyms of landfill

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Examples of landfill in a Sentence

using landfill to dispose of trash Part of the city was built on landfill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sources of bioaccumulative substances that end up in the environment range from agricultural runoff and industrial pollution to oil tanker spills, vehicle exhaust, and landfill leakage. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 These chemicals produce substantial hazardous waste, including sodium sulfate salt cakes that require landfill disposal. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 Trapping organic waste in a landfill produces toxic liquid runoff as well as methane, which the Environmental Protection Agency notes is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. — Emily Staunton, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026 But Khalatian said many of them, including himself, didn’t suspect the stench was coming from the landfill. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for landfill

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of landfill was in 1903

Phrases Containing landfill

Rhymes for landfill

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Browse Nearby Words

landfast
landfill
landflood
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Cite this Entry

“Landfill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landfill. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

landfill

noun
land·​fill -ˌfil How to pronounce landfill (audio)
1
: a system of trash and garbage disposal in which the waste is buried between layers of earth
2
: an area built up by landfill
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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