1
: an act or instance of cleaning
The children helped with the cleanup.
2
: an exceptionally large profit
made a cleanup [=killing] when he sold his stocks
: being in the fourth position in the batting order of a baseball team
a cleanup hitter
cleanup
adverb
cleaned up; cleaning up; cleans up
1
: to make a spectacular profit in a business enterprise or a killing in speculation or gambling
2
: to become free of drug or alcohol addiction
I always cleaned up for tours. … By the end of the tour, I'm perfectly clean and should have stayed sober.—
Keith Richards
Keith RichardsExamples of cleanup in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Advertisement At your home, take photos before any cleanup or debris removal happens.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The alliance will provide door hangers, gloves, bags and safety vests for the cleanup day.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Oct. 2023
Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
The agency’s emergency response work focuses on monitoring air and water pollution, cleaning up oil and chemical spills, and helping to restore water and sewer infrastructure.
—Stan Meiburg, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cleanup 
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Noun
Offer specific help, such as providing meals, assisting with cleanup, or connecting them to local resources and shelters.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Advertisement At your home, take photos before any cleanup or debris removal happens.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Biden also approved a major disaster declaration for Los Angeles County, unlocking federal assistance for housing, repairs, and cleanup efforts.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The alliance will provide door hangers, gloves, bags and safety vests for the cleanup day.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Oct. 2023
Verb
Daniel Lurie Levi Strauss heir receives warm reception as he is sworn in as San Francisco’s next mayor after defeating London Breed in a campaign focused on cleaning up street crime and drug abuse.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
The agency’s emergency response work focuses on monitoring air and water pollution, cleaning up oil and chemical spills, and helping to restore water and sewer infrastructure.
—Stan Meiburg, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cleanup
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Dictionary Entries Near cleanup
Cite this Entry
“Cleanup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleanup. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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