influent

[ in-floo-uhnt ]

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

/ ˈɪnflʊənt /

adjective

1. flowing in

noun

1. something flowing in, esp a tributary
2. ecology an organism that has a major effect on the nature of its community

Word History and Origins

Origin of influent¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Washington Times

Funding includes $100,000 for Marquette County to replace influent pumps at a wastewater treatment facility.

From Washington Times

The latter system is intact, but it is offline to protect microorganisms from ingesting influent too dirty for them from the damaged primary-treatment system.

From Seattle Times