landslide

[land-slahyd] /ˈlændˌslaɪd/
noun, Also called, especially British, landslip
[land-slip] /ˈlændˌslɪp/ (Show IPA), (for defs 1, 2).
1.
the downward falling or sliding of a mass of soil, detritus, or rock on or from a steep slope.
2.
the mass itself.
3.
an election in which a particular victorious candidate or party receives an overwhelming mass or majority of votes:
the 1936 landslide for Roosevelt.
4.
any overwhelming victory:
She won the contest by a landslide.
verb (used without object), landslid, landslid or landslidden, landsliding.
5.
to come down in or as in a landslide.
6.
to win an election by an overwhelming majority.
Origin
1830-40, Americanism; land + slide
Can be confused
avalanche, landslide.
British Dictionary definitions for landslide

landslide

/ˈlændˌslaɪd/
noun
1.
Also called landslip
  1. the sliding of a large mass of rock material, soil, etc, down the side of a mountain or cliff
  2. the material dislodged in this way
2.
  1. an overwhelming electoral victory
  2. (as modifier): a landslide win
Word Origin and History for landslide
n.

1856, American English, from land (n.) + slide (n.). Earlier was landslip, still preferred in Britain. Old English used eorðgebyrst in this sense; literally "earth-burst." In the political sense, landslide "lopsided electoral victory" is attested from 1888.

landslide in Science
landslide
  (lānd'slīd')   

  1. The rapid downward sliding of a mass of earth and rock. Landslides usually move over a confined area. Many kinds of events can trigger a landslide, such as the oversteepening of slopes by erosion associated with rivers, glaciers, or ocean waves; heavy snowmelt which saturates soil and rock; or earthquakes that lead to the failure of weak slopes.

  2. The mass of soil and rock that moves in this way.