freshwater

1 of 2

adjective

fresh·​wa·​ter ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər 

-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

variants or less commonly freshwater

ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər 

-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

Adjective

Northern snakeheads are freshwater fish and live in small and large streams, canals, rivers, ponds, reservoirs and lakes, according to the agency. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 June 2026

The former Minnesota Vikings receiver with the second-most touchdown receptions in NFL history has found his off-the-field calling on the boat, fishing for freshwater bass. —CBS News, 5 June 2026

Noun

To avoid this scenario, the fabric care scientist suggests rinsing beach and pool clothes (including swimwear) with fresh water immediately after use, then following up with a thorough clean using a high-quality detergent as soon as possible. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026

The faucet is a portable Dometic Go unit piped to a 34-L fresh water tank, while the shower is a portable Geyser system drawing from the same tank. —New Atlas, 5 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing freshwater

• freshwater drum
• freshwater pearl

Rhymes for freshwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater
• manslaughter

Kids Definition

freshwater

adjective

fresh·​wa·​ter

ˌfresh-ˌwȯt-ər, 

-ˌwät-

: of, relating to, or living in fresh water

a freshwater fish