The word junk has two main meanings:

1. Old, broken, or worthless stuff that clutters up a space. The pile of broken toys, worn-out clothes, and random parts in your garage might be junk. When something breaks beyond repair or loses its usefulness, it becomes junk. A junk drawer is that kitchen drawer filled with rubber bands, old batteries, expired coupons, and mysterious keys that no one can quite bring themselves to throw away. People sometimes hold yard sales to get rid of junk they no longer need.

What makes something junk isn't always obvious. Your dad's collection of old computer parts might look like junk to your mom, but to him they're valuable. One person's junk truly can be another person's treasure. The phrase junk food refers to snacks and treats that taste good but have little nutritional value, like candy or chips.

1. A type of Chinese sailing ship with distinctive flat bottoms and square sails made of bamboo. These sturdy vessels have carried cargo and passengers across Asian waters for over two thousand years. Junks were ingeniously designed for the rivers and coastal waters of China, and some are still used today.