Word
effluent
Phoneticsef·flu·ent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛfɫuənt/
UK/ˈɛfluːənt/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. dirty liquid waste that flows out of a factory, farm, or sewage plant into rivers or the sea.
n. liquid waste or sewage discharged from an industrial, agricultural, or municipal source into the environment. Typically refers to treated or untreated outflow entering rivers, lakes, or the sea.
Examples
“The factory cleans its effluent before release.”
“The council fines the plant because its effluent pollutes the nearby river.”
“Despite meeting legal limits, the treated effluent still altered downstream chemistry, reducing oxygen levels and threatening sensitive fish populations.”
Examples
simple
“The factory cleans its effluent before release.”
contextual
“The council fines the plant because its effluent pollutes the nearby river.”
complex
“Despite meeting legal limits, the treated effluent still altered downstream chemistry, reducing oxygen levels and threatening sensitive fish populations.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “effluent” in context.
Verb
01. discharge effluent
“The company is no longer allowed to discharge effluent into the estuary.”
verb + noun
02. effluent contains
“The effluent contains high levels of nitrates and phosphates.”
noun + verb
03. effluent flows
“Treated effluent flows into the river through a concrete channel.”
noun + verb
04. effluent pollutes
“Untreated effluent pollutes groundwater and threatens drinking supplies.”
noun + verb
05. pump effluent
“Investigators found the firm was pumping effluent illegally at night.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. chemical effluent
“Strict regulations now control the release of chemical effluent from dyeing plants.”
adj + noun
07. industrial effluent
“The factory was fined for releasing industrial effluent into the nearby river.”
adj + noun
08. radioactive effluent
“The agency monitors radioactive effluent discharged from the nuclear facility.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. discharge of effluent
“The unauthorized discharge of effluent led to a major fine.”
noun + prep + noun
10. contaminated by toxic effluent
“The wetland was heavily contaminated by toxic effluent.”
11. discharge untreated effluent into rivers
“The mill was banned from discharging untreated effluent into rivers.”
12. pump effluent into the sea
“The vessel was caught pumping effluent into the sea illegally.”
Usage
Often uncountable in general use; plural 'effluents' for distinct waste streams or sources.
Real-World Examples
“The rest of the time they emit a continuous stream of treated effluent which, while cleaner than raw sewage, can contain high nutrient levels.” “The sparkle has returned to the Yamuna river flowing through India's capital of New Delhi, residents say, after decades of filthy and stinking waters, matted with garbage and polluted with toxic effluent from industry.” Etymology
From French effluent, from Latin effluens, effluentis. By surface analysis, e- + fluent.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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