1. liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea
2. something that flows out from a larger body

1. flowing out or forth
Usage: formal

Examples

• The factory was fined for releasing untreated effluent into the river.
• New regulations require all industrial effluent to be properly filtered.
• The sewage treatment plant processes effluent before discharge.
• Environmental monitors test the effluent for harmful chemicals.
• The effluent stream carried pollutants downstream.
• Scientists studied the effluent waters from the manufacturing plant.
• The effluent discharge violated environmental protection standards.