wastewater
|waste/wa/ter|
🇺🇸
/ˈweɪstˌwɔːtər/
🇬🇧
/ˈweɪstˌwɔːtə/
used and contaminated water
Etymology
'wastewater' originates from the combination of 'waste' and 'water', where 'waste' meant 'unwanted or unusable material' and 'water' referred to the liquid substance.
The term 'wastewater' has been used in English since the 19th century to describe water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence.
Initially, it referred to any water that was not potable, but over time it evolved to specifically mean water that has been used and contaminated.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
water that has been used in homes, industries, and businesses that is not for reuse unless treated.
The factory was fined for discharging untreated wastewater into the river.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45