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Definition of sanitary

sanitary

/ˈsæn.əˌtɛr.i/
san · i · tar · y
Adverb:sanitarily
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sanitary Lexical Profile

sanitary Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Hygienic and clean; free from germs, dirt, or pathogens that could cause disease.

Example

"Hospital staff must maintain strictly sanitary conditions in the operating rooms."

2

Relating to the conditions that affect hygiene and public health, especially the supply of clean water and the disposal of sewage and waste.

Example

"The municipality invested heavily in upgrading its sanitary infrastructure and water treatment facilities."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sanitary
Antonyms
View all antonyms for sanitary

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'sanitary' with 'sanatory'; 'sanitary' relates to cleanliness, hygiene, and the prevention of disease, whereas the rarer 'sanatory' means conducive to healing or curing illness.

• Rhymes for sanitary

• Nearby Words

sanicula
sanitarily
sanitarium
sanitary
sanitation
sanitization
sanitize

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-19th century from French sanitaire, derived from Latin sanitas ('health'), from sanus ('healthy, sound').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sanitary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sanitary
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