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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Rising sea levels can stymie septic systems and cause saltwater to leach into wells. 
Brady Dennis And Sarah Kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 Cape Cod had the right type of soils for septic systems to work, said Andrew Gottlieb, executive director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Keely Larson, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 The ground is inviting but unforgiving, ideal for raising cash crops yet too impenetrable to water flow to accommodate standard septic systems. New York Times, 2 Aug. 2022 Heirbrandt said switching to sewer will be better for the environment than septic systems, and workers can simultaneously install fiber optic lines to bring broadband to the area. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 28 July 2022 The county has long anticipated northward growth and considered utility expansion but the high cost of removing failing septic tanks held it back. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 28 July 2022 Among the community’s chief complaints are the removal of old-growth trees, elimination of the parking areas of businesses and disruption of septic tanks. Riley Board, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2022 The sewers will replace septic tanks that are old and failing, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 5 July 2022 The city will build sanitary sewers that will replace failing septic systems along sections of Albion and Webster. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 18 July 2022 See More
Brady Dennis And Sarah Kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 Cape Cod had the right type of soils for septic systems to work, said Andrew Gottlieb, executive director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Keely Larson, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 The ground is inviting but unforgiving, ideal for raising cash crops yet too impenetrable to water flow to accommodate standard septic systems. New York Times, 2 Aug. 2022 Heirbrandt said switching to sewer will be better for the environment than septic systems, and workers can simultaneously install fiber optic lines to bring broadband to the area. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 28 July 2022 The county has long anticipated northward growth and considered utility expansion but the high cost of removing failing septic tanks held it back. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 28 July 2022 Among the community’s chief complaints are the removal of old-growth trees, elimination of the parking areas of businesses and disruption of septic tanks. Riley Board, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2022 The sewers will replace septic tanks that are old and failing, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 5 July 2022 The city will build sanitary sewers that will replace failing septic systems along sections of Albion and Webster. Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 18 July 2022 See More 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
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