sewer
8 synonyms for sewer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An underground pipe or channel that carries away waste water and sewage.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sewer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sewer system
sewer pipe
storm sewer
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman sewere, "water-course," ultimately from Latin ex- ("out of") plus aquaria ("of water").
Full origin of sewer →Frequently asked questions
What does “sewer” mean?
The word “sewer” means an underground pipe or channel that carries away waste water and sewage. In plain terms, usually the underground pipe system that carries away waste water; also someone who sews.
How do you pronounce “sewer”?
“Sewer” is pronounced SOO-uh (/ˈsuɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sewer” in a sentence?
Here is “sewer” used in a sentence: “Workers repaired a broken sewer under the main street.”
What part of speech is “sewer”?
“Sewer” is a noun.
Where does the word “sewer” come from?
The word “sewer” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman sewere, "water-course," ultimately from Latin ex- ("out of") plus aquaria ("of water").
Is “sewer” a common word?
“Sewer” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sewer” have?
“Sewer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an underground pipe or channel that carries away waste water and sewage.
What is the difference between a sewer and a drain?
A sewer is a larger underground pipe or channel system that carries waste water away for treatment or disposal, often serving a whole street or area. A drain is typically a smaller, more local outlet, such as one attached to a sink or a section of road, that feeds into the wider sewer system.
Do the two meanings of sewer sound the same?
No. When sewer means an underground waste pipe, it rhymes with "fewer." When it means a person who sews, it rhymes with "mower," reflecting the different word origins behind the two meanings.
What is the difference between a storm sewer and a sanitary sewer?
A storm sewer carries away rainwater and surface runoff, while a sanitary sewer carries household and industrial waste water for treatment. Both are types of underground pipe systems that fall under the general meaning of sewer.
