blackwater

American  

[blak-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈblækˌwɔ tər, -ˈwɒt ər /

noun

Pathology.

1. any of several human or animal diseases characterized by the production of dark urine as a result of the rapid breakdown of red blood cells.

2. blackwater fever.

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blackwater Scientific  

/ blăk′wô′tər /

1. Wastewater containing bodily or other biological wastes, as from toilets, dishwashers, or kitchen drains.

2. Compare graywater

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Etymology

Origin of blackwater

First recorded in 1790–1800; black + water

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blackwater

In a recent study published in Nature Geoscience, the researchers turned their attention to two blackwater lakes stained dark by plant material: Africa's largest blackwater lake, Lac Mai Ndombe, and the smaller Lac Tumba.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 24, 2026

Dumping wastewater from toilets - so-called "blackwater" - increased from 126 incidents to 2023 to 207 last year.

From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2026

The disease can produce severe maternal anemia, iron deficiency, or it can spread to the kidneys and the lungs and cause a condition known as blackwater fever.

From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2024

For Linda Ianniello and Susan Mears, this so-called blackwater diving has evolved from a pastime into a passion.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 8, 2022

And Green, the Rhodesian sergeant who had been brought in, almost in extremis, with blackwater.

From Sketches of the East Africa Campaign by Robert Valentine Dolbey

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