waste
noun
uk/weɪst/ us [ S or U ]
an unnecessary or careless use of resources or skills:
a waste of money/resources/time The meeting was a complete waste of time.
All departments have been instructed to avoid waste.
[ U ]
materials or substances with no use or value, for example, ones that are produced when other products are being made:
the disposal of waste
hazardous/radioactive/toxic waste The company was charged with illegally disposing of toxic waste.
household/industrial waste
waste
adjective [ before noun ]
uk/weɪst/ usleft after what is valuable has been used, and no longer needed:
the collection and recycling of waste materials
waste
verb [ T ]
uk/weɪst/ usto use more money, time, resources, etc. than is needed:
The board decided it could not waste any more time and money developing the product.
to not use something in an effective way:
waste a chance/effort/opportunity Oftel had the chance to create real competition to BT but it has wasted the opportunity.
wasted skills/talent
waste no time in doing sth
to do something immediately:
The board wasted no time in appointing a successor.