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
Ashoka, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Radiocarbon dating of the freshwater mussel shells reveals that the dingo’s burial mound was built between 916 and 963 years ago, around the same time the dingo died.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
During the war, Iran had fired missiles at civilian targets including hotels and airports but launched very few projectiles on critical desalination plants that supply fresh water to millions in the region.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for freshwater
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Adjective
Are freshwater resources disappearing?
—Ashoka, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Radiocarbon dating of the freshwater mussel shells reveals that the dingo’s burial mound was built between 916 and 963 years ago, around the same time the dingo died.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Noun
The primary school also lost its fresh water after it was contaminated with lake water.
—Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 31 May 2026
During the war, Iran had fired missiles at civilian targets including hotels and airports but launched very few projectiles on critical desalination plants that supply fresh water to millions in the region.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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