1. an underground tank or pit for collecting liquid waste and sewage from a house
2. a corrupt or morally degraded place or situation
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The old house had a cesspool instead of being connected to the city sewer system.
• They needed to pump out the cesspool every few years.
• The cesspool was located far from the well to prevent contamination.
• The politician called the corrupt city hall a cesspool of greed.
• She described the online forum as a cesspool of hatred and misinformation.
• The neighborhood was once considered a cesspool of crime and violence.