effluvium

noun ef·flu·vi·um \ e-ˈflü-vē-əm \

variants: or less commonly effluvia play \e-ˈflü-vē-ə\

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of effluvium

plural effluvia also effluviums

1 : an invisible emanation; especially : an offensive exhalation or smell

2 : a by-product especially in the form of waste

Examples of effluvium in a Sentence

the effluvia from local sewage treatment plants polluting the river

Recent Examples of effluvium from the Web

Thyroid problems: Excessive hair loss, or telogen effluvium, can be a sign that your thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism).

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "WATCH: What Your Hair Is Trying to Tell You About Your Health," 29 Mar. 2018
Gradually replace the asphalt crust with permeable pavers, and construct a network of underground cisterns so that heavy rains no longer drown the sewer system and pump raw effluvium into our waterways.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "What Is a City Street? And What Will It Become?," 18 Jan. 2018
Experts estimate that between 40 and 50 percent of women experience telogen effluvium, a.k.a.

— jackie frere, Redbook, "This Viral Video Shows the "Grossly Satisfying" Results of Post-Baby Hair Loss," 7 Dec. 2017
The heat of 1858 made the problem of London’s effluvia unignorable.

— alexandra mullen, WSJ, "The Stink That Sank London," 11 Aug. 2017
Many women who arrive in a dermatologist’s office with prior diagnoses of female pattern hair loss actually have what’s called telogen effluvium.

— courtney rubin, New York Times, "Is This Treatment the Cure for Hair Loss?," 21 Aug. 2017
GIF 2. Towels, mats, and pads A pet mat can keep hairs, dirt, and various bodily effluvia off your seats and carpet.

— blake z. rong, Esquire, "5 Easy Ways to Get Pet Smells Out of Your Car," 11 May 2017
Readers who do not like human effluvia are not the right readers for THE HATERS (Amulet Books, $18.95)

— marjorie ingall, New York Times, "Book Review Newsletter," 1 June 2016
GIF 2. Towels, mats, and pads A pet mat can keep hairs, dirt, and various bodily effluvia off your seats and carpet.

— blake z. rong, Esquire, "5 Easy Ways to Get Pet Smells Out of Your Car," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'effluvium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.