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Definition of "effluent" []

  • Flowing out or forth. (adjective)
  • Something that flows out or forth, especially: (noun)
  • A stream flowing out of a body of water. (noun)
  • An outflow from a sewer or sewage system. (noun)
  • A discharge of liquid waste, as from a factory or nuclear plant. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "effluent" in a sentence
  • "Also, if the grass courts were fertilized with fecal effluent from the Canada geese and Nutria overpopulating all of our public parks and golf courses, it would be a real "win-win" for nature and the economy."
  • "There have been a number of bottling plants in India where the level of the water supply has dramatically dropped and in some cases there have been studies showing that effluent from the plants has dumped cadmium, chromium and other carcinogens onto the land of those who live in the community."
  • "Noise rose from below like effluent from a blocked toilet and the light was so dim the waitress had to check the reservation book with a torch."