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

Broward and Miami-Dade counties have programs to convert septic systems, which fail and leach into waterways as seas rise, onto municipal sewer systems. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025

Shutting down the septic system would eliminate the potential contamination of Lake Michigan waters. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

The pods can help your septic system avoid the harmful effects caused by bleach, detergents and other chemical drain openers. —Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025

This will speed up vital projects like reinforcing the seawall and converting septic systems to sewer pipelines, boosting community resilience. —Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 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