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

But they also can be found in areas where there’s standing water, such as a sewer or septic leak, inside dirty garbage cans or rain barrels, areas where air conditioner condensate lines drain, or even in tree holes, abandoned birds nests, and condensate pans under fridges or air conditioners. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025

Right now, their main focus is on signing the loan for the house, installing the septic system, obtaining the necessary permits and completing the well for water. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

The contaminant mostly comes from manure or fertilizer, but can also originate from septic systems and other sources. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Other contributing factors include animal and agricultural waste and failing septic systems. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

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