sanitary

[san-i-ter-ee]

adjective

1. of or relating to health or the conditions affecting health, especially with reference to cleanliness, precautions against disease, etc.

   Synonyms: antiseptic, unpolluted, germfree, clean
   Antonyms: septic, polluted, unhealthy, unwholesome, unclean

2. favorable to health; free from dirt, bacteria, etc..

   a sanitary washroom.

   Synonyms: salutary, healthy, antiseptic, unpolluted, germfree, clean
   Antonyms: septic, polluted, unhealthy, unwholesome, unclean

3. providing healthy cleanliness.

   a sanitary wrapper on all sandwiches.

sanitary

/ -trɪ, ˈsænɪtərɪ /

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

Other Word Forms

• sanitarily adverb
• sanitariness noun
• presanitary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanitary¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from Latin sānit(ās) “health” ( sanity ) + -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanitary¹

C19: from French sanitaire, from Latin sānitās health

Synonym Study

Sanitary, hygienic agree in being concerned with health. Sanitary refers more especially to conditions affecting health or measures for guarding against infection or disease: to insure sanitary conditions in preparing food. Hygienic is applied to whatever concerns the care of the body and the promotion of health: to live in hygienic surroundings with plenty of fresh air.

Example Sentences

Both food banks also said demand had expanded to include nappies, sanitary products, basic toiletries and pet food.

From BBC

The boxes include sanitary towels, nappies, toilet paper, deodorant and washing up liquid and cost around £25 each.

From BBC

They load up a van with supplies from instant noodles and hot water, to underwear, panic alarms and sanitary products, and go out offering practical help and advice.

From BBC

If agreed, it would exempt many imports of live animals and goods from sanitary and phytosanitary checks at the border.

From BBC

In 2024, the state passed Senate Bill 1132, which requires county or city inspection of health and sanitary conditions in private detention facilities.

From Los Angeles Times