septic tank

noun

: a tank in which the solid matter of continuously flowing sewage is disintegrated by bacteria

Examples of septic tank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There was already electricity, water and a septic tank. Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 Water from sewage and septic tanks can accidentally enter bodies of freshwater due to inadequate water treatment, corroded infrastructure, storm water runoff, and accidents. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Oct. 2024 Glory be to god for septic tanks, drainage pipes: for conversions thermodynamic and of the soul. Virginia Konchan, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 The human digestive tract was, by Lane’s estimation, the biological equivalent of the household drainage system: with the stomach as the toilet bowl, the small intestine the drainpipe and the large bowel the septic tank. Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for septic tank 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'septic tank.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of septic tank was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near septic tank

Cite this Entry

“Septic tank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/septic%20tank. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

septic tank

noun
: a tank in which solid sewage is broken down by bacteria

More from Merriam-Webster on septic tank

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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