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

Repairs were needed on the heating and septic systems, and there was some termite damage. —Michele Lerner, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Still, officials warn that pollution, aging septic systems, and everyday human activity continue to threaten one of South Florida's most important ecosystems. —Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 20 May 2026

Video of the crash taken by a bystander shows the septic truck crossing the railroad tracks just as the oncoming Norfolk Southern train T-boned the vehicle. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026

Her son Daniel, however, told TMZ that Betty suffered a number of septic infections before her death, and had a serious fall approximately three weeks before her death. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 11 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