landfill
LAND-fil
/ˈlændfɪl/
A designated site for the disposal of waste materials by burial under layers of soil.
Refers to engineered ground sites where solid waste is deposited and covered, distinguishing it from open illegal dumping.
The story behind the word. A modern 20th-century American English compound formed from 'land' and 'fill', originally describing low-lying land reclaimed by filling it with earth and waste matter.
Word relationships
- dump: Dump is an informal term that often implies an unregulated pile of trash, whereas landfill refers to an engineered containment facility.
- rubbish tip: Rubbish tip is British English for a waste collection area, less formal than municipal landfill.
- recycling facility: A plant where materials are recovered rather than buried in the ground.
Commonly confused with
- compost heap: A compost heap allows natural decomposition of biological matter for fertilizer, whereas a landfill buries general solid waste indefinitely.
Collocations
- landfill site
- overflowing landfill
- divert from landfill
Example sentences
- "The regional landfill will reach maximum capacity within five years unless recycling rates double." Municipal planning
- "By composting organic matter, households can divert significant amounts of food waste away from the local landfill." Eco-friendly lifestyle
Memory hook
FILLING up the LAND with buried garbage. Dig a hole, fill the land with waste.
When not to use
Do not use for liquid waste holding ponds or atmospheric emissions.
Fun facts
- Modern sanitary landfills are lined with thick plastic and clay layers to prevent toxic leachate from leaking into underlying aquifers.
Related words
Explore more words
brownfield, deposit, excavate, closed-loop, remediation, blight
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