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waste

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noun British English pronunciation: waste /weɪst/ 
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singularwaste
pluralwastes
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [singular/uncountable] the failure to use something valuable in an effective way, so that it does not produce the benefits that it could

    All this uneaten food – what a waste!

    a campaign to increase efficiency and reduce waste in government departments

    waste of:

    a waste of young talent

    There was growing opposition to the war and its senseless waste of life.

    go to waste (=be spoiled or thrown away):

    The cherries will just go to waste if we don't pick them soon.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of waste
    1. a.
      [singular] a situation in which time, money, or energy is used without bringing any useful result
      a waste of time/money/effort etc:

      It's a waste of time trying to get her to change her mind.

      They said a public enquiry would just be a waste of taxpayers' money.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of waste
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] the useless materials, substances, or parts that are left after you use something

    A bill was introduced to clean up toxic wastes from local factories.

    a controversy over the storage of nuclear waste

    human waste (=substances that your body gets rid of when you go to the toilet)

    The process recycles domestic waste to produce fertilizer.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of waste
  3. 3
    [countable] [usually plural] a large area of empty land

    the desert's sandy wastes

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of waste

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This is the British English definition of waste. View American English definition of waste.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for waste.

 

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