1 C1 neutral
To remove thick, dirty sediment or waste matter from a tank, pipe, or mechanical system
"They had to sludge out the old oil tank before installing the new heating system."
separable
sludge out
C1 neutral separable transitive
To remove or expel thick, muddy waste or sediment from a container or system
In plain English
To clear out thick, muddy gunk from a pipe, tank, or engine
What does "sludge out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To expel sludge (thick muddy matter) out of something
Actually means
To clear out thick, muddy gunk from a pipe, tank, or engine
Usage tip
Technical or industrial term. Used in engineering, plumbing, and waste management contexts. Rarely encountered in general conversation.
Words that pair with "sludge out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tank pipe engine system drain filter
How to conjugate "sludge out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sludge out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sludges out
he/she/it
Past simple
sludged out
yesterday
Past participle
sludged out
have + pp
-ing form
sludging out
continuous
Hear "sludge out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "sludge out"
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