Cleanup

/ˈkliːnʌp/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The act of making something clean or organized.
We need to do a cleanup of the garage this weekend.
An event or activity focused on cleaning up a specific area, often in a community or environmental context.
The local volunteers organized a cleanup of the beach last Saturday.
The removal of unwanted or unnecessary items to improve organization or appearance.
After the renovation, a cleanup of the office was necessary to clear out old furniture.
verb
To clean up; to make something tidy or neat.
Please cleanup after your meal before leaving the table.
To clear away and dispose of waste or debris.
They will cleanup the litter in the park after the festival is over.

Etymology

The word 'cleanup' is a combination of 'clean' and 'up', originating in the early 20th century.

Common Phrases and Expressions

cleanup crew
A group of people designated to clean up an area.
cleanup on aisle five
An informal way to indicate a mess that needs attention in a specific area, often heard in retail environments.
give it a cleanup
To clean or tidy something up.

Related Words

clean
To remove dirt or impurities.
neat
Arranged in an orderly fashion.
sanitize
To make clean and safe, often through the removal of germs.

Slang Meanings

To do a thorough cleaning or organizing.
I'm gonna give my room a serious cleanup this weekend.
To make improvements or changes to a situation.
The company needs a cleanup after all those layoffs.