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
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
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
John Taylor 2
: a body of fresh water
The hydrosphere includes oceans, fresh water, glaciers, and ice caps.—Leigh Broadhurst
compare salt water
Leigh BroadhurstExamples of freshwater in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 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
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026
When the schooner was just off the coast of El Salvador, a tramp steamer spotted them and finally supplied fresh water.
—Michael Waters, New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for freshwater
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Adjective
The sighting highlights the importance of the park for freshwater biodiversity.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 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 presence of fresh water As the history of civilization has taught us, a water source is essential as a resource.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 2026
When the schooner was just off the coast of El Salvador, a tramp steamer spotted them and finally supplied fresh water.
—Michael Waters, New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for freshwater
Cite this Entry
“Freshwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshwater. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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