wastewater

noun

waste·​wa·​ter ˈwāst-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: water that has been used (as in a manufacturing process) : sewage

Examples of wastewater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the past decade, research has consistently shown that natural fibers like cotton can biodegrade across a wide range of environments, including freshwater, saltwater, wastewater systems, soil, and compost. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026

Scientists at the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes in China have developed microscopic material that can hunt for uranium ions in oceans or wastewater. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026

Boehm noted that in previous years there has been a summer surge of activity, which typically started to show up in wastewater testing in May and June. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026

The World Bank estimates that more than 80% of wastewater worldwide is discharged into the environment without adequate treatment. —Steve Adelstein, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wastewater

• annunciator
• imprimatur
• underwater
• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater