septic tank

[ sep-tik tangk ]

noun

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

septic tank

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of septic tank¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Her body was found in a septic tank in 2012 after the 21-year-old had apparently been spotted with a group of British soldiers on a night out.

From BBC

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

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

The woman lived at the residence and when she walked over the top of the septic tank the ground gave way along with the concrete top of the tank, according to San Bernardino County Fire Dept.

From Los Angeles Times

Just as the sink drains out, flush a nearby toilet to try to force all the water into the sewer or your septic tank.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• cesspool
• sewer