wastewater

noun

waste·​wa·​ter ˈwāst-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce wastewater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: water that has been used (as in a manufacturing process) : sewage

Examples of wastewater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Currently, these small and medium textile enterprises discharge untreated wastewater from fabric dyeing directly into the ground. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 Over time, the patch failed – allowing untreated wastewater to escape into the stormwater system and ultimately flow into the Arkansas River. — Zach Hillstrom, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The Sioux Falls regional water reclamation facility, which transports and treats wastewater from the city and surrounding communities is receiving $81 million in the budget. — Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Aug. 2026 Gardner provides water, wastewater, and electric utilities for residential and commercial properties within city limits. — Taylor O'Connor 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wastewater

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wastewater was in the 15th century

Rhymes for wastewater

See All Rhymes for wastewater

Browse Nearby Words

wastetime
wastewater
waste-wax process
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wastewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wastewater. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on wastewater

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wastewater

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All