Meaning & use
Influent
Last updated
A stream or channel that flows into a larger body of water, such as a lake or reservoir.
See it in a sentence
Scientists monitored the influent for pollutants before it reached the reservoir.
The wastewater plant tests the influent before and after treatment.
A note on using this word
"Influent" is the direct counterpart of "effluent" (what flows out); it's also used in wastewater engineering to describe water entering a treatment plant.
Words with a similar meaning
inflowtributary
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
effluent
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Flowing in or into something.
The influent current carried debris toward the dam.
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