noun
Uncommon
sewer
SOO-uh
Sewer (noun) means an underground pipe or channel that carries away waste water and sewage. Example: “Workers repaired a broken sewer under the main street.”
noun
1
An underground pipe or channel that carries away waste water and sewage.
"Workers repaired a broken sewer under the main street."
"Heavy rain overwhelmed the city's old sewer system."
2
A person who sews.
"She was a skilled sewer, making most of her family's clothes."
How to use sewer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually the underground pipe system that carries away waste water; also someone who sews.
Common mistake
Meaning "one who sews" is pronounced like "so-er," not like the drainage "sewer" — context usually makes it clear which is meant.
Common pairings
sewer system
sewer pipe
storm sewer
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Word forms
- Plural
- sewers
- Third person singular
- sewers
- Past tense
- sewered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Workers repaired a broken _____ under the main street.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman sewere, "water-course," ultimately from Latin ex- ("out of") plus aquaria ("of water").
Related words
Rhymes for sewer
See all rhymes for 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.
