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

The key is to choose a product that's safe for your septic system while being specifically designed to tackle hard water stains. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2025

Other contributing factors include animal and agricultural waste and failing septic systems. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Bacteria can enter beaches via stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, leaking sewer pipes and sewer overflows, among other sources, according to Massachusetts' Public Health Department and Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health. —Jillian Frankel, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The modern campground is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season for planned updates to the electrical and septic systems and to convert 44 campsites to full-hookup. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 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