septic

adjective

sep·​tic ˈsep-tik How to pronounce septic (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some of those businesses would separate the battery casings from the lead and provide the casing material for use in construction, landscaping, septic systems, drainage fields, and similar projects. Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025 Heating now comes from lower-emissions heat pumps, and the existing septic system has been replaced by an Innovative/Alternative (or IA) system designed to prevent excess nitrogen and other nutrients from entering the wastewater, which contributes to water-quality issues and harmful algae blooms. Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2025 New wells and septic systems would need to be installed. Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for septic

Word History

Etymology

Latin septicus, from Greek sēptikos, from sēpein to putrefy

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of septic was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Septic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/septic. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

septic

adjective
sep·​tic ˈsep-tik How to pronounce septic (audio)
1
2
: relating to, involving, caused by, or affected with sepsis
septic complications
septic arthritis
septic patients

More from Merriam-Webster on septic

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