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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
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
This extended scene of the town meeting, and the particularly insistent point about the septic tank, drew laughs at its screenings in both Venice and at last year’s New York Film Festival, which leads to an interesting train of thought.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2024
These products can also contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Sep. 2024
That means there’s no need to have a septic tank installed nearby or have to deal with the waterless solution (similar to a porta-potty) that many may find unappealing.
—Kaitlin Gates, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 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
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 28 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
septic tank
noun
: a tank in which solid sewage is broken down by bacteria
More from Merriam-Webster on septic tank
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about septic tank
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