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

In light of these issues, the commission recommended against fracking in the southern Tampico-Misantla basin, but redirected fracking to basins that contain saltwater rather than freshwater aquifers. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Guests have exclusive access to the top-deck Sanctuary Club, which features a freshwater pool surrounded by comfy lounge chairs and private cabanas. — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 23 July 2026

Noun

In both cases, health officials said the patients became infected after swimming in fresh water. — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Built to power the generative artificial intelligence boom and cryptocurrency frenzy, these industrial developments can use as much energy as some cities and consume millions of gallons of fresh water daily. — Jorge Aguilar, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 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