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influent

American  
[in-floo-uhnt] / ˈɪn flu ənt /

adjective

  1. flowing in.


noun

  1. a tributary.

  2. Ecology. a plant or animal that has an important effect on the biotic balance in a community.

influent British  
/ ˈɪnflʊənt /

adjective

  1. flowing in

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. something flowing in, esp a tributary

  2. ecology an organism that has a major effect on the nature of its community

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of influent

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin influent- (stem of influēns ) inflowing. See in- 2, fluent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The new study is unusual in that it calculated the mass of microplastics in landfill leachate and wastewater influent and effluent.

From Science Daily Nov. 19, 2024

The facility also has most of its influent pumps running again, after Tropical Storm Hilary broke five of six.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 19, 2024

“We looked at the entire treatment process, which included the influent and effluent,” he said.

From Washington Times Apr. 6, 2021

They had also romanced about ruins, fountains, palms, and rushes in the Wady el-Kusayb, the south-eastern influent.

From The Land of Midian — Volume 1 by Sir Richard Francis Burton

Spurring his horse, and calling on Francesca to follow, he starts off again at a brisk gallop; which is kept up till they draw bridle on the bank of the influent stream.

From Gaspar the Gaucho A Story of the Gran Chaco by F.C. Tilney

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