litter

[ lit-er ]

noun

1. objects strewn or scattered about; scattered rubbish.
2. a condition of disorder or untidiness:

   We were appalled at the litter of the room.

   Synonyms: clutter

3. a number of young brought forth by a multiparous animal at one birth:

   a litter of six kittens.

4. a framework of cloth stretched between two parallel bars, for the transportation of a sick or wounded person; stretcher.
5. a vehicle carried by people or animals, consisting of a bed or couch, often covered and curtained, suspended between shafts.
6. straw, hay, or the like, used as bedding for animals or as protection for plants.
7. the layer of slightly decomposed organic material on the surface of the floor of the forest.
8. cat litter.

verb (used with object)

1. to strew (a place) with scattered objects, rubbish, etc.:

   to be fined for littering the sidewalk.

2. to scatter (objects) in disorder:

   They littered their toys from one end of the playroom to the other.

   Synonyms: derange, disarrange

3. to be strewn about (a place) in disorder (often followed by up ):

   Bits of paper littered the floor.

4. to give birth to (young), as a multiparous animal.
5. to supply (an animal) with litter for a bed.
6. to use (straw, hay, etc.) for litter.
7. to cover (a floor or other area) with straw, hay, etc., for litter.

verb (used without object)

1. to give birth to a litter:

   The cat had littered in the closet.

2. to strew objects about:

   If you litter, you may be fined.

litter

/ ˈlɪtə /

noun

1. 1. small refuse or waste materials carelessly dropped, esp in public places
   2. ( as modifier )

      litter bin

2. a disordered or untidy condition or a collection of objects in this condition
3. a group of offspring produced at one birth by a mammal such as a sow
4. a layer of partly decomposed leaves, twigs, etc, on the ground in a wood or forest
5. straw, hay, or similar material used as bedding, protection, etc, by animals or plants
6. See cat litter
7. a means of conveying people, esp sick or wounded people, consisting of a light bed or seat held between parallel sticks

verb

1. to make (a place) untidy by strewing (refuse)
2. to scatter (objects, etc) about or (of objects) to lie around or upon (anything) in an untidy fashion
3. (of pigs, cats, etc) to give birth to (offspring)
4. tr to provide (an animal or plant) with straw or hay for bedding, protection, etc

Other Words From

• litter·er noun
• anti·litter adjective
• anti·litter·ing adjective
• de-litter verb (used with object)
• un·littered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of litter¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English litere “bed, litter,” from Anglo-French; Old French litiere, from Medieval Latin lectāria, equivalent to Latin lect(us) “bed” + -āria feminine of -ārius noun suffix; -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of litter¹

C13 (in the sense: bed): via Anglo-French, ultimately from Latin lectus bed

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pick of the litter,
   1. the best or choicest of the animals, especially puppies, in a litter.
   2. the best of any class, group, or available selection.

Synonym Study

See brood.

Example Sentences

By continuing with business as usual, the world would generate enough litter between 2011 and 2050 to cover Manhattan in a heap of plastic ten times the height of the Empire State Building.

From Science Daily

Some social media users criticised the cyclists for "irresponsible" behaviour such as littering.

From BBC

Recent history is littered with examples of Ministry of Defence projects that overrun and overspend, some in eye-watering proportions.

From BBC

His cleaning crew was sweeping up litter from the street while their boss talked and talked and talked.

From Los Angeles Times

An excerpt published from Page Six reveals that Carson and Wolcott's marriage was littered with infidelities.

From Salon

Related Words

• clutter
• scatter
• strew