litter Definition

litter
noun

1. Discarded paper, rubbish, etc lying in a public place.

Thesaurus: trash, rubbish, refuse, debris.
2. A number of animals born to the same mother at the same time.

Example: a litter of five grey kittens
Thesaurus: family, offspring, brood, progeny, young.
3. Any scattered or confused collection of objects.

Thesaurus: mess, clutter, disarray, disorder, jumble, confusion.
4. Straw, hay, etc used as bedding for animals.
5. old use
A framework consisting of cloth stretched tight between two long poles, used to carry sick or wounded people.
6. old use
A framework consisting of a couch covered by curtains, with poles on either side, for transporting a single passenger.

verb littered, littering

1. To make something untidy by spreading litter or objects about.

Thesaurus: derange, disarrange, disorder.
2. Said of objects: to lie untidily around (a room, etc).

Thesaurus: strew, clutter.
3. Said of animals: to give birth to (young).
4. To give bedding litter to (animals).

Etymology: 14c: from French litiere.