sewer
/ˈsuːə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsuːər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsü-ər ˈsu̇r/ (ame, mw)
sewer — noun
- sewersingular
- sewersplural
1. A pipe buried beneath the ground that takes waste water and sewage from houses a
A pipe buried beneath the ground that takes waste water and sewage from houses and other buildings to a facility where the waste can be cleaned and safely disposed of.
The city council approved funding to repair the old sewer system beneath the downtown area.
sewer system — common compound noun
Beatriz noticed a foul smell coming from the sewer grate outside her apartment.
A blocked sewer in the main street caused waste water to flood into nearby shops.
Every morning, Vikram inspects the underground sewers for cracks and blockages that could cause problems.
The sewer pipe beneath Park Avenue burst, sending waste water into the street.
- drain
A more general term; a drain carries rainwater or used water away, while a sewer specifically handles human waste as well.
- waste pipe
Focuses on the function of carrying waste; can refer to pipes inside a building as well as the main underground system.
- culvert
A tunnel that carries water under a road or railway, usually for storm water rather than sewage.
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'sewers' to refer to the entire pipe network of a town or city. Also commonly appears in compound nouns such as 'sewer system', 'sewer pipe', and 'sewer line'.
常見錯誤
2. A channel at ground level, usually left uncovered, that carries sewage and dirty
A channel at ground level, usually left uncovered, that carries sewage and dirty water from buildings away instead of through a buried pipe.
In the old quarter, waste water runs through an open sewer beside the narrow streets.
open sewer — standard compound for this sense
The local authorities covered the open sewer to prevent children from falling in.
A strong smell rose from the sewer that ran behind the fish market.
Hoa's grandmother warned her to stay away from the open sewer near the playground.
Local residents built a concrete sewer along the road to carry waste away.
- drain
A more general word for any channel that removes water; 'open drain' is also a common alternative for this sense.
- gutter
A channel at the edge of a road that carries away rainwater, but not usually intended for human waste.
- channel
A broader term for any long, narrow passage through which water flows.
用法筆記
This sense is typically used in the compound 'open sewer' to distinguish it from the underground pipe system. It is most common in descriptions of older or less developed areas where a covered drainage system has not been installed.