Sanitation
/ˌsæn.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/noun
The systems and practices used to maintain cleanliness and protect public health, especially through waste removal and hygiene.
Did you know?The word’s root is Latin sanus, meaning “healthy” or “sound,” which also produced the English words sane and sanity—linking physical cleanliness with mental soundness.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
sānus
“Healthy, sound, or whole”
Classical Latin
Latin
sānitās
“Health, soundness, or a healthy condition”
Late Latin
Latin
sānitātiō
“A making healthy or restoration of health”
17th Century
French
sanitation
“The act of making sanitary or hygienic”
19th Century
English
sanitation
“Measures for preserving public health through cleanliness and waste control”
Modern English
English
sanitation
“Systems and practices for hygiene, waste management, and disease prevention”