noun

cesspool

SEHS-pool

Cesspool (noun) means an underground pit that collects and holds sewage or wastewater. Example: “The old farmhouse still relied on a cesspool instead of a modern septic system.”

noun

An underground pit that collects and holds sewage or wastewater.

"The old farmhouse still relied on a cesspool instead of a modern septic system."

"Engineers were called in to empty the overflowing cesspool."

Figuratively, a place or situation that is extremely dirty, corrupt, or unpleasant.

"Critics called the comment section a cesspool of insults."

"The company's finances had turned into a cesspool of hidden debt."

How to Use Cesspool

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally a sewage pit, or figuratively any place that is disgustingly dirty or corrupt.

Common pairings

cesspool of corruption moral cesspool empty the cesspool

Word Forms

cesspools plural

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Fill the Gap

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The old farmhouse still relied on a _____ instead of a modern septic system.

Etymology

Origin disputed. It may combine an old Italian word for a toilet with English "pool," though several other, more roundabout, theories exist too.

Origin: Italian

Rhymes for cesspool

cool wool tool pool fool kool spool stool drool school uncool carpool

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “cesspool” mean?

The word “cesspool” means an underground pit that collects and holds sewage or wastewater. In plain terms, literally a sewage pit, or figuratively any place that is disgustingly dirty or corrupt.

How do you pronounce “cesspool”?

“Cesspool” is pronounced SEHS-pool (/ˈsɛsˌpuːl/ in IPA).

How do you use “cesspool” in a sentence?

Here is “cesspool” used in a sentence: “The old farmhouse still relied on a cesspool instead of a modern septic system.”

What part of speech is “cesspool”?

“Cesspool” is a noun.

Where does the word “cesspool” come from?

The word “cesspool” comes from Italian. Origin disputed. It may combine an old Italian word for a toilet with English "pool," though several other, more roundabout, theories exist too.

How many meanings does “cesspool” have?

“Cesspool” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an underground pit that collects and holds sewage or wastewater.

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Vocabulary lists that include cesspool:

Words With Italian Origins