Superfund
noun, verb ·3 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A large amount of money designated for environmental cleanup by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. US
"a Superfund site"
- 2 An investment vehicle for superannuation assets. Australia, British
- 3 An investment fund that invests in other investment funds; a fund of funds.
- 4 the federal government's program to locate and investigate and clean up the worst uncontrolled and abandoned toxic waste sites nationwide; administered by the Environmental Protection Agency wordnet
- 1 To fund (a college payment plan) with a large payment, more than the usual annual payment. US, transitive
"You also have the option to "superfund" a 529 account by giving a five-year annual gift all at once. The benefit of superfunding the account is that with a higher starting balance, the account will accrue higher earnings. Individuals can donate up to $75,000 (couples can donate $150,000) at one time."
- 2 To fund (environmental cleanup) by means of a Superfund. US, transitive
"Defendants also had "ample opportunity to propose incorporation" of a provision in the decree prohibiting or limiting the FPA from superfunding the area outside the Box."
Example
More examples"The threat to the Dow complex highlights the risks to Superfund and other toxic cleanup sites posed by the effects of climate change, which include more frequent and severe flooding."
Etymology
From super- + fund.
A blend of superannuation (“retirement”) + fund.
More for "superfund"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.