catch basin

noun

1. a receptacle, located where a street gutter opens into a sewer, designed to retain matter that would not readily pass through the sewer.

catch basin

noun

1. a pit in a drainage system in which matter that might otherwise block a sewer is collected so that it may periodically be removed Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)catch pit

Word History and Origins

Origin of catch basin¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Jason Farley and his colleagues were wading through floodwater while trying to rescue people trapped in their homes when he stepped into a catch basin and was pulled into a drainage pipe.

From ProPublica

When you’re done, put the scrubber back on the angled lid and any leftover water will run into the catch basin below—never into the soap.

From Popular-Science

A catch-basin should be provided just outside the factory for all solid material which might clog the sewer pipe.

From Project Gutenberg

The sewer ended in the stable yard back of the horse barn, in a ten-foot catch-basin near the manure pit.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of the insects, the boys concentrated on the catch basin, alert for any sign of the ghost.

From Project Gutenberg

The three men raised the cover of the catch-basin and Reese was lowered into it.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence it was that the catch-basin in which the body had been hidden was missed.

From Project Gutenberg