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landslide

/ˌlæn(d)ˈslaɪd/
/ˈlændslaɪd/
IPA guide

Other forms: landslides

When dirt and rock from a mountainside are sliding down, call it a landslide. Another kind of landslide takes place when one candidate soundly defeats another in an election. With either type of landslide, it's probably safest to stay out of the way!

The political meaning of landslide is commonly used, but it's not the word's original definition. A geographical landslide occurs when a huge amount of earth slides down a slope or mountain, usually displacing rocks and vegetation and often houses and buildings as well. Landslides are caused by erosion, heavy rain, and earthquakes, among other events, and they're disruptive enough to give rise to the figurative meaning.

Definitions of landslide
  1. noun
    a slide of a large mass of dirt and rock down a mountain or cliff
    synonyms: landslip
    see moresee less
    types:
    mudslide
    a landslide of mud
    rockslide
    a landslide of rocks
    type of:
    slide
    (geology) the descent of a large mass of earth or rocks or snow etc.
  2. noun
    an overwhelming electoral victory
    “Roosevelt defeated Hoover in a landslide
    see moresee less
    type of:
    triumph, victory
    a successful ending of a struggle or contest
Pronunciation
US
/ˌlæn(d)ˈslaɪd/
UK
/ˈlændslaɪd/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘landslide'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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