noun
blackwater
Blackwater (noun) means Water that looks naturally dark because it carries dissolved organic matter such as decaying leaves or tannins. Example: “The blackwater rivers of the Amazon basin look almost like strong tea.”
noun
1
Water that looks naturally dark because it carries dissolved organic matter such as decaying leaves or tannins.
"The blackwater rivers of the Amazon basin look almost like strong tea."
"Blackwater streams are common in swampy, forested lowlands."
2
Wastewater from toilets that contains human waste, as distinct from "greywater" from sinks and showers.
"The cabin's septic system separates blackwater from greywater for treatment."
How to use blackwater
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDark, tannin-stained natural water, or separately, sewage water from toilets.
Common mistake
Context tells the two meanings apart — river/ecology writing means the dark natural water; plumbing and sanitation writing means toilet wastewater.
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Word forms
- Plural
- blackwaters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ rivers of the Amazon basin look almost like strong tea.
Etymology
A compound of "black" and "water," describing water that looks dark rather than clear.
Rhymes for blackwater
See all rhymes for blackwater →Frequently asked questions
What does “blackwater” mean?
The word “blackwater” means water that looks naturally dark because it carries dissolved organic matter such as decaying leaves or tannins. In plain terms, dark, tannin-stained natural water, or separately, sewage water from toilets.
How do you use “blackwater” in a sentence?
Here is “blackwater” used in a sentence: “The blackwater rivers of the Amazon basin look almost like strong tea.”
What part of speech is “blackwater”?
“Blackwater” is a noun.
How many meanings does “blackwater” have?
“Blackwater” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: water that looks naturally dark because it carries dissolved organic matter such as decaying leaves or tannins.
