Sanitary means concerned with keeping things clean and healthy, especially by providing a sewage system and a clean water supply.
Sanitary conditions are appalling.
The vast majority live in tin shacks without electricity, clean water or sanitaryfacilities.
2. adjective
If you say that a place is not sanitary, you mean that it is not very clean.
It's not the most sanitary place one could swim.
Synonyms: hygienic, clean, healthy, wholesome More Synonyms of sanitary
sanitary in British English
(ˈsænɪtərɪ, -trɪ)
adjective
1.
of or relating to health and measures for the protection of health
2.
conducive to or promoting health; free from dirt, germs, etc; hygienic
Derived forms
sanitarily (ˈsanitarily)
adverb
sanitariness (ˈsanitariness)
noun
Word origin
C19: from French sanitaire, from Latin sānitās health
sanitary in American English
(ˈsænəˌtɛri)
adjective
1.
of health or the rules and conditions of health; esp., promoting health and healthful conditions by the elimination of dirt and agents of infection or disease
2.
in a clean, healthy condition; hygienic
Derived forms
sanitarily (ˈsaniˌtarily)
adverb
sanitariness (ˈsaniˌtariness)
noun
Word origin
Fr sanitaire < L sanitas: see sanitarium & -ary
Examples of 'sanitary' in a sentence
sanitary
The sanitary conditions were not like that of a spa.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Police also found sanitary towels stuffed with dollars in her suitcase.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He bought some sanitary towels and threw them at me.
The Sun (2013)
During their journey, illegal migrants can suffer horrendous sanitary conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
When delivering aid to refugee camps, it is essential that sanitary products and newborn kits are included.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
To her further embarrassment, she was then made to explain to two men why it was she needed sanitary protection.
Turner, Janine Behind Closed Doors - advice for families with violence in the home (1988)
And the crowd loved it - except for one chap who was hit in the face by a flying sanitary towel.
The Sun (2007)
Women's sanitary products were found behind a drinks cooler and other parts of the office and spit was daubed on desks.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Some policies deal with very important matters, like those requiring strict sanitary conditions where food or drugs are produced or packaged.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
We scrubbed floors from morning to night and I had to handle used sanitary pads.
The Sun (2012)
The company added that it was launching a campaign to give women their VAT back on sanitary protection.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Park seemed to consist of her running down stairs while giggling in a carefree manner, much in the manner of an advert for female sanitary protection.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
sanitary
British English: sanitary ADJECTIVE
Sanitary means concerned with keeping things clean and healthy, especially by providing a sewage system and a clean water supply.
Sanitary conditions are appalling.
American English: sanitary
Brazilian Portuguese: sanitário
Chinese: 公共卫生的
European Spanish: sanitario
French: sanitaire
German: hygienisch
Italian: sanitario
Japanese: 衛生の
Korean: 위생의
European Portuguese: sanitário
Latin American Spanish: sanitario
All related terms of 'sanitary'
sanitary belt
a belt for supporting a sanitary towel
sanitary ware
plumbing fixtures , as sinks or toilet bowls, made of ceramic material or enameled metal
sanitary cordon
→ cordon sanitaire
sanitary napkin
A sanitary napkin is the same as a → sanitary towel .
sanitary towel
A sanitary towel is a pad of thick soft material which women wear to absorb the blood during their periods.
sanitary inspector
(in Britain) an employee of the Environmental Health Service
sanitary landfill
→ landfill (sense 1 ) landfill (sense 2 )
sanitary engineering
the branch of civil engineering associated with the supply of water, disposal of sewage , and other public health services
sanitary protection
Sanitary protection is sanitary towels or tampons.
EHO
Environmental Health Officer
Environmental Health Officer
(in Britain) an employee of the Environmental Health Service
public health inspector
(in Britain) an employee of the Environmental Health Service