ef·flu·ent
ˈe-ˌflü-ənt 
e-ˈflü-,
ə-
: something that flows out: such as
a
: an outflowing branch of a main stream or lake
b
: waste material (such as smoke, liquid industrial refuse, or sewage) discharged into the environment especially when serving as a pollutant
Did you know?
Effluent comes from the Latin verb effluere, "to flow out". In an older meaning, an effluent was a stream flowing out of a river or lake. But nowadays effluent almost always means wastes that pour into our water and air. Liquid factory waste, smoke, and raw sewage can all be called effluents. An effluent filter keeps treated waste flowing out of a septic tank from clogging up its drainage pipes.
Examples of effluent in a Sentence
Noun
The factory has been accused of discharging effluent into the river.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lora Kolodny, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2024
If wind speeds exceed 10 mph, the fountain is shut off by sensors to ensure the effluent water used in the lake and fountain aren't blown out of the park, city officials said.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 9 Aug. 2024
Scott Moore, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2016
And each time, those on the far right contributed more garbage to the information effluent.
—F.d. Flam, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for effluent 
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Adjective
Teague, who has more than three decades of water quality and coastal planning experience, told CNBC the application was full of holes, missing basic details about water discharge volumes, the temperature of the effluent and outfall locations.
—Lora Kolodny, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2024
If wind speeds exceed 10 mph, the fountain is shut off by sensors to ensure the effluent water used in the lake and fountain aren't blown out of the park, city officials said.
—Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 9 Aug. 2024
Noun
In some areas, industries may suffer, too, for lack of water to cool machinery, generate hydropower, and flush effluents downstream.
—Scott Moore, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2016
And each time, those on the far right contributed more garbage to the information effluent.
—F.d. Flam, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for effluent
Cite this Entry
“Effluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effluent. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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