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

Drinking water is supplied to the area by the Bethesda Water Supply Corporation, and surrounding homes have septic systems for wastewater. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026

Island Park is spending $10 million to mitigate water contamination because high-use vacation rentals overwhelmed the small-scale septic systems originally installed for weekend cabins. —Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026

The property now includes a new 1,500-gallon septic system, a new well pump, new furnace, and new water heater. —Miriam Schwartz, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026

To be septic means the body is responding strongly to an infection, so strongly that the body can send itself into shock or shut down vital organs. —Logan Smith, CBS News, 2 Feb. 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