effluent

1 of 2

adjective

ef·​flu·​ent ˈe-ˌflü-ənt How to pronounce effluent (audio)
e-ˈflü-,
ə-
: flowing out : emanating, outgoing
an effluent river

effluent

2 of 2

noun

: something that flows out: such as
a
: an outflowing branch of a main stream or lake
b
: waste material (such as smoke, liquid industrial refuse, or sewage) discharged into the environment especially when serving as a pollutant

Did you know?

Effluent comes from the Latin verb effluere, "to flow out". In an older meaning, an effluent was a stream flowing out of a river or lake. But nowadays effluent almost always means wastes that pour into our water and air. Liquid factory waste, smoke, and raw sewage can all be called effluents. An effluent filter keeps treated waste flowing out of a septic tank from clogging up its drainage pipes.

Examples of effluent in a Sentence

Noun The factory has been accused of discharging effluent into the river.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Making the best use of other water sources, whether effluent or spill deliveries, helps preserve the aquifer. The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024 Near Marana, effluent discharges started around the 1970s, but poor treatment made the water too rich and low in oxygen for many species to establish. The Arizona Republic, 21 July 2023 Sea rise also is pushing the island’s groundwater closer to the surface, allowing the cesspool effluent to mix with the water table and flow into the ocean. Audrey McAvoy, Anchorage Daily News, 10 July 2023 The program can extend awareness about the existence and value of the Santa Cruz River, Bogan said, even when the flow depends on clean effluent discharges. The Arizona Republic, 21 July 2023 Marin County and Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside, the sewage district that includes the city of Half Moon Bay, started testing samples of their community effluent for signs of the drugs in February and November, respectively. Catherine Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2023 Unless the farms are a closed system, effluent from fish pens will pollute the surrounding waters. Chris Mooney, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2010 These efforts resulted in restoration of effluent permit compliance by June 10th. Carlos R. Muñoz, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Mar. 2023 With the Sentinel on hand, he was rescued where Orange County’s Iron Bridge sewage plant releases treated effluent into the Little Econ. Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2023
Noun
Many of its rivers are ecologically dead, killed by untreated industrial effluents and domestic sewage. Ramachandra Guha, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 The team had dug a trench from the drill site and was pouring oils and effluent into the pristine alpine lake. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2022 This mock-fascist facade, pushed up against a warehouse wall, with victory columns topped in huge sculptures of human effluent, originally led to the fair’s bathrooms. Walker Mimms, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024 As a result, 35 billion gallons of toxic effluent have flowed into San Diego since December and more than 100 billion since 2018, according to the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2023 In theory, the ground gradually filters bacteria and pathogens in effluent from them. Audrey McAvoy, Anchorage Daily News, 10 July 2023 Failing septic systems, heavy nitrogen loading to create lush green lawns, and farm effluent has been known to cause the harmful algal blooms, as well. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2023 Wilson's tenure as a board member and executive director of KWA spanned more than a decade and included the organization's work in removing dangerous dams, taking utilities to court over coal ash groundwater contamination, reducing effluent in the Red River watershed and more. Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 16 Feb. 2023 But the effluent sees additional treatment after it is spread around the soil, where bacteria and plants further break down organic material, according to Jex. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'effluent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin effluent-, effluens, present participle of effluere to flow out, from ex- + fluere to flow — more at fluid

First Known Use

Adjective

1726, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of effluent was in 1726

Dictionary Entries Near effluent

Cite this Entry

“Effluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effluent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

effluent

noun
ef·​flu·​ent
ˈef-ˌlü-ənt;
e-ˈflü-,
ə-
: liquid (as sewage or industrial by-products) discharged as waste
effluent adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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