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

On the rural land around the Provident property, homes sit on one acre or more and are equipped with septic systems. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026

Trivik would build septic systems for the buildings and all apartments would be connected to a community well, according to the company. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026

Some small grants were canceled, like $14 million to install septic systems in majority-Black Alabama counties where residents live with sewage piped from their homes onto their property. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

Exploratory surgery showed damage to the tendon and septic arthritis. —Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2026

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