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
or less commonly freshwater
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 WebVittoria Traverso, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
These freshwater fish are often kept as pets and are relatively easy to care for.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023
Among freshwater fish, the yellow perch’s sweet, white meat is arguably the best eating, rivaling fresh walleye fillets.
—Bill Heavey, Field & Stream, 3 May 2023
James Albert, an ecologist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, studies how freshwater fish in South America have evolved in response to the uplift of the Andes.
—Bill Morris, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2023
During warmer months, the property’s wetlands spring to life with native fauna, while kayaks, paddleboards, and freshwater fish can be found all throughout the main pond.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Just about all amphibians consume insects, as do many species of reptiles and freshwater fish.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
But just 17 per cent of the regions that separate marine and freshwater fish map to actual genes.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2012
Quagga and Zebra Mussels are quickly becoming America’s most troublesome freshwater invasive species.
—Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2012
Chris Morris, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Provide a power grid that’s strong and reliable, fresh water, transportation system second to none and an elite educational system
What should be the top federal funding priorities for Congress and why?
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024
Snow has stopped falling; fresh water and warmth are waiting.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2023
This annual United Nations observance day highlights the importance of fresh water.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
In keeping with the environmental theme, De Caso changed the typical mix of metal reinforcing bars, concrete and fresh water.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Controlled Thermal Resources, a company that began in Australia but moved its headquarters to California in 2022, plans to consume 2.1 billion gallons of fresh water each year from the river.
—Reporters At The Howard Center For Investigative Journalism, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024
Cowichan Lake is about a 90-minute drive from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, and is considered the second-largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2023
The lake was once the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River, but disappeared when waters were diverted by agricultural interests to irrigate crops in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2023
Adjective
Recipes based on freshwater fish, like risotto with European perch, are a key part of local gastronomy.
—Vittoria Traverso, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
These freshwater fish are often kept as pets and are relatively easy to care for.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023
Among freshwater fish, the yellow perch’s sweet, white meat is arguably the best eating, rivaling fresh walleye fillets.
—Bill Heavey, Field & Stream, 3 May 2023
James Albert, an ecologist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, studies how freshwater fish in South America have evolved in response to the uplift of the Andes.
—Bill Morris, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2023
During warmer months, the property’s wetlands spring to life with native fauna, while kayaks, paddleboards, and freshwater fish can be found all throughout the main pond.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Just about all amphibians consume insects, as do many species of reptiles and freshwater fish.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
But just 17 per cent of the regions that separate marine and freshwater fish map to actual genes.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2012
Quagga and Zebra Mussels are quickly becoming America’s most troublesome freshwater invasive species.
—Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2012
Noun
This a 110-acre landmass with fresh water, an electric generator, and, most important, mobile service has an asking price of $160 million.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Provide a power grid that’s strong and reliable, fresh water, transportation system second to none and an elite educational system
What should be the top federal funding priorities for Congress and why?
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024
Snow has stopped falling; fresh water and warmth are waiting.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2023
This annual United Nations observance day highlights the importance of fresh water.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
In keeping with the environmental theme, De Caso changed the typical mix of metal reinforcing bars, concrete and fresh water.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Controlled Thermal Resources, a company that began in Australia but moved its headquarters to California in 2022, plans to consume 2.1 billion gallons of fresh water each year from the river.
—Reporters At The Howard Center For Investigative Journalism, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024
Cowichan Lake is about a 90-minute drive from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, and is considered the second-largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2023
The lake was once the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River, but disappeared when waters were diverted by agricultural interests to irrigate crops in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freshwater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near freshwater
Cite this Entry
“Freshwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshwater. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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