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

Our rich guys came up with a septic solution, reports The New York Times. —Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025

Each site is large and outfitted with amenities—there are electric and water hookups, septic services, as well as WiFi. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2025

According to the autopsy report cited by CBS News and the Racine County Eye, the woman died of an infection from septic pneumonia. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025

The lack of sanitary sewers is another barrier to development in some places, including communities like Beverly Shores and The Pines in northwest Porter County that rely on septic systems. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 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