Garbage Meaning and Definition
Garbage
Pronunciation
/ˈɡærbiɪdʒ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Waste or discarded material, including organic and inorganic substances, that are not reused or recycled.
Examples
- The city’s sanitation department collects garbage from residential areas.
- Garbage trucks are used to transport waste to landfill sites.
Synonyms
- Rubbish
- Trash
- Debris
Antonyms
- Recycle
- Reuse
Etymology
The word “garbage” comes from the medieval Latin word “garcia,” which referred to a type of refuse or waste.
Usage Notes
The term “garbage” is often used in contemporary language to refer to electronic waste, or e-waste, as well as to describe the contents of a trash can or landfill.
Cultural References
The 1960s-era song “Tainted Love” by Gloria Jones features the lyric “I’ve been forced to relinquish my hold on the garbage truck.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To take out the garbage
- Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater (to discard something valuable along with something useless)
Related Words or Phrases
- Litter
- Waste
- Refuse
- Discards
Collocations
- Garbage truck
- Garbage collection
- Garbage disposal
Frequency of Use
The word “garbage” is commonly used in everyday language, particularly in contexts related to waste management and environmental issues.
Common Misspellings
- Garbidge
- Garrage