Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for scrap heap. Search instead for scrap+heaps.
Synonyms

scrap heap

American  
Or scrapheap

noun

  1. a pile of old, discarded material, as metal.

  2. a place for dumping old, useless things.


Etymology

Origin of scrap heap

First recorded in 1830–40; scrap 1 + heap

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Among the items destined for the scrap heap is the gantry, which once sheltered Soyuz rockets from the tropical weather.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

"It's absolutely infuriating that a treatable condition like this is ignored and that women are put on the scrap heap," said Lipoedema UK's head of research Dr Lesley Steinitz.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

It’s been months since Broomhilda went to the scrap heap and I’m still car shopping.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2024

Destined for the scrap heap, these historic artifacts just had to be saved.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2023

He is perhaps best known for this quote: “We will turn this prison from a scrap heap into a repair shop.”

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover