septic

adjective

sep·​tic ˈsep-tik 

1

: of, relating to, or causing putrefaction

2

: relating to, involving, caused by, or affected with sepsis

septic patients

3

: used for sewage treatment and disposal

a septic system

also : of or relating to a septic system

septic effluents

Examples of septic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 35-year-old Ira Township man was among the workers installing field tile for a septic system. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Because of this, a patient with pneumonia is often already technically septic by definition. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

The garden should be at least 10 feet from your home's foundation, 8 feet from any well, 5 feet from a septic system, and at least 1 foot above bedrock or the seasonal high groundwater level. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 12 June 2026

Households relying on wells, particularly in agricultural regions or areas with septic systems, should be especially proactive about regular testing. — Ryan Brennan may 27, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin septicus, from Greek sēptikos, from sēpein to putrefy

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing septic

• go septic
• septic shock
• septic sore throat
• septic tank

Rhymes for septic

• peptic
• sceptic
• skeptic
• antiepileptic
• antiseptic
• epileptic
• neuroleptic
• aseptic
• dyspeptic
• organoleptic

Medical Definition

septic

adjective

sep·​tic ˈsep-tik 

1

: putrefactive

2

: relating to, involving, caused by, or affected with sepsis

septic complications

septic arthritis

septic patients