freshwater

1 of 2

adjective

fresh·​wa·​ter ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər How to pronounce freshwater (audio)
-ˈwä-
1
a
: consisting of or containing fresh water
freshwater marshes
freshwater aquariums
compare saltwater
b
: living in or taken from fresh water
freshwater mussels/fish
freshwater pearls
c
: relating to or taking place in fresh water
freshwater diving/sailing
2
US, dated : inland and usually provincial
a freshwater college

fresh water

2 of 2

noun

or less commonly freshwater ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər How to pronounce fresh water (audio)
-ˈwä-
1
: water that is not salty
… the lake holds the largest volume of fresh water in the world, 5,000 cubic miles.Philip Taubman
also : water that is considered suitable for consumption
He saw many islands, but they were flat or rocky or they lacked fresh water or their anchorage was too shallow. John Taylor
2
: a body of fresh water
The hydrosphere includes oceans, fresh water, glaciers, and ice caps.Leigh Broadhurst
compare salt water

Examples of freshwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The sighting highlights the need for further understanding of freshwater biodiversity in the region. Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 The breakthrough could speed up large-scale hydrogen production by enabling stable output directly from seawater, not just freshwater. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
The other two cats were shown sitting on the top of a toilet, staring at the fresh water in the sink, as if waiting patiently for their go. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025 Vibrio are a flesh-eating bacteria that thrive in saltwater and brackish water (a mix of salt and fresh water). Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for freshwater

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of freshwater was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Freshwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshwater. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

freshwater

adjective
fresh·​wa·​ter
ˌfresh-ˌwȯt-ər,
-ˌwät-
: of, relating to, or living in fresh water
a freshwater fish
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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