saturation
noun
sat·u·ra·tion
ˌsa-chə-ˈrā-shən 
1
a
: the act of saturating : the state of being saturated
2
: conversion of an unsaturated to a saturated chemical compound (as by hydrogenation)
3
: a state of maximum impregnation: such as
a
: complete infiltration : permeation
b
: the presence in air of the most water possible under existent pressure and temperature
c
: magnetization to the point beyond which a further increase in the intensity of the magnetizing force will produce no further magnetization
4
a
: chromatic purity : freedom from dilution with white
b(1)
: degree of difference from the gray having the same lightness
—used of an object color
(2)
: degree of difference from the achromatic light-source color of the same brightness
—used of a light-source color
compare hue sense 2c
5
: the supplying of a market with as much of a product as it will absorb
6
: an overwhelming concentration of military forces or firepower
Examples of saturation in a Sentence
Heavy rains resulted in the saturation of the soil.
the saturation of advertising on television
Recent Examples on the Web
We parent under economic strain, social isolation, climate fear, school violence, and screen and social media saturation—and are still expected to be endlessly patient, emotionally attuned, nutritionally perfect, and developmentally exact.
—
Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
This over-saturation can appear in a few different ways.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
But prospective entrepreneurs need to practice caution when launching a side hustle, as experts warn against chasing trends without fully understanding margin pressure, saturation or operational complexity.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Gently spray the stained area with the solution, avoiding over-saturation.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for saturation
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Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 27 Jan. 2026
This over-saturation can appear in a few different ways.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
But prospective entrepreneurs need to practice caution when launching a side hustle, as experts warn against chasing trends without fully understanding margin pressure, saturation or operational complexity.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Gently spray the stained area with the solution, avoiding over-saturation.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for saturation
Cite this Entry
“Saturation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saturation. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
saturation
noun
sat·u·ra·tion
ˌsach-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act or process of saturating
2
: the state of being saturated
Medical Definition
saturation
noun
sat·u·ra·tion
ˌsach-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act of saturating : the state of being saturated
2
: conversion of an unsaturated to a saturated chemical compound (as by hydrogenation)
3
: a state of maximum impregnation
especially
: the presence in air of the most water possible under existent pressure and temperature
4
a
: the one of the three psychological dimensions of color perception that is related to the purity of the color and that decreases as the amount of white present in the stimulus increases
called also intensity
compare brightness, hue
b(1)
: degree of difference from the gray having the same lightness
—used of an object color
(2)
: degree of difference from the achromatic light-source color of the same brightness
—used of a light-source color
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