septic tank

American  

[sep-tik tangk] / ˈsɛp tɪk ˌtæŋk /

noun

1. a tank, often underground, in which organic sewage is decomposed and purified by anaerobic bacteria.

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septic tank British  

noun

1. a tank, usually below ground, for containing sewage to be decomposed by anaerobic bacteria

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Etymology

Origin of septic tank

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

septic tank

At one point, the cave faced a potential threat when someone attempted to develop the land and convert the cave into a septic tank.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026

There were six beds arranged in three bunk beds, and in one corner there was a septic tank and "a pipe that served as a shower".

From BBC ● Jan. 8, 2025

Firefighters rescued a woman who fell about 25 feet into an out-of-use septic tank in Fontana on Thursday morning, authorities announced, adding that she was conscious throughout the ordeal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 8, 2024

Initially, the fire agency reported that the woman fell into a sinkhole, but later clarified that the hole was in fact an old septic tank that was no longer in use.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 8, 2024

They stretched out in the middle of the road, flat on their backs, not wanting to miss anything should one of my celebrity friends decide to drop by and help me dig the septic tank.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

• cesspool
• sewer