noun

cesspool

SEHS-pool

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

cesspools plural

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Can you complete this real example?

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

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

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