salt·wa·ter
ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯ-tər 
-ˌwä-
1
: consisting of or containing salt water
saltwater lagoons
a saltwater solution
compare freshwater
2
: living in or taken from salt water
saltwater fish
saltwater pearls
3
: relating to, associated with, or suitable for salt water
a saltwater rod
saltwater tales
variants
or less commonly saltwater
1
: water to which salt (as sodium chloride) has been added
flush the wound with salt water
We think all turkeys are improved by brining (soaking in salt water), but it's a cumbersome task that few holiday schedules can accommodate.—
Gourmet
Gourmet2
: water (as of the ocean) that naturally contains a significant amount of salt : seawater
This deck shoe uses a patented leather that's virtually immune to salt water.—Michael Verdon
Michael Verdon
also
: a body of salt water
We hiked on, finally reaching the island's highest point, a lookout with sweeping views far out across the salt water. —Wendy Williams
compare fresh water
Wendy Williams 
Examples of saltwater in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebBob McNally, Outdoor Life, 14 Sep. 2023
Shedd Aquarium - Chicago, IL The Shedd Aquarium is a great spot for Midwesterners to see an incredible saltwater fish collection.
—Jacob Linden, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023
There is also a saltwater Ocean Journey exhibit, an IMAX 3D theater, and... a few macaroni penguins.
—Jacob Linden, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023
One of the most ambitious attempts to raise saltwater fish made headlines last year, as a team from Japan showed early success in breeding bluefin tuna in captivity.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 16 Aug. 2023
The fish is the Banggai cardinalfish, a small striped saltwater fish native to Indonesia.
—Patrick Whittle, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023
Jubilees come in many forms, from events with just flounder or shrimp or crabs or saltwater catfish to bay bonanzas with all those creatures lined up in the shallowest water at the shore.
—David Rainer Alabama Department Of Conservation and Natural Resources, al, 10 Aug. 2023
Shimano has several reels considered to be the best all around saltwater conventional reel, including the TLD, Talica, and our choice, the Tyrnos.
—Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
The sturdy construction helps battle the rigors of saltwater fishing.
—Alberto Knie, Field & Stream, 22 June 2023
Korin Miller, Women's Health, 7 Sep. 2023
Related Story Why Do Viruses Exist, Anyway? Vibrio naturally live in coastal waters, including salt water and brackish water, which is a mixture of salt and fresh water.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2023
At the end of similarly epic efforts, some swimmers simply collapse and can’t move, while others can’t speak because their throats are so irritated by taking in salt water.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Similarly, your child can ease irritation by gargling salt water.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 24 Aug. 2023
The Best Way To Keep Apples From Turning Brown
The salt water works the best!
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2023
Artificial heat: In artificial heat processing, brine or other kinds of salt water is placed in a vacuum vessel that has enough pressure to boil the liquid.
—USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2023
Families also love Ocean City's claim to fame: salt water taffy.
—Rose Marie Walano, Country Living, 9 Aug. 2023
While there are limitations to farming this plant (it must be grown in salt water), vertical ocean farming systems are being created to more efficiently meet consumer demands.
—Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2023
See More
Adjective
In many cases, NOAA’s data has led to restrictions on sport angler harvest of saltwater gamefish—most notably red snapper—along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts, infuriating anglers and industry professionals who have long suspected the federal data is overcounting.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 14 Sep. 2023
Shedd Aquarium - Chicago, IL The Shedd Aquarium is a great spot for Midwesterners to see an incredible saltwater fish collection.
—Jacob Linden, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023
There is also a saltwater Ocean Journey exhibit, an IMAX 3D theater, and... a few macaroni penguins.
—Jacob Linden, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023
One of the most ambitious attempts to raise saltwater fish made headlines last year, as a team from Japan showed early success in breeding bluefin tuna in captivity.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 16 Aug. 2023
The fish is the Banggai cardinalfish, a small striped saltwater fish native to Indonesia.
—Patrick Whittle, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2023
Jubilees come in many forms, from events with just flounder or shrimp or crabs or saltwater catfish to bay bonanzas with all those creatures lined up in the shallowest water at the shore.
—David Rainer Alabama Department Of Conservation and Natural Resources, al, 10 Aug. 2023
Shimano has several reels considered to be the best all around saltwater conventional reel, including the TLD, Talica, and our choice, the Tyrnos.
—Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
The sturdy construction helps battle the rigors of saltwater fishing.
—Alberto Knie, Field & Stream, 22 June 2023
Noun
Most people get infected with vibrio by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, like oysters, but some people get infected when an open wound is exposed to salt water or brackish water that contains vibrio, per the CDC.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 7 Sep. 2023
Related Story Why Do Viruses Exist, Anyway? Vibrio naturally live in coastal waters, including salt water and brackish water, which is a mixture of salt and fresh water.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2023
At the end of similarly epic efforts, some swimmers simply collapse and can’t move, while others can’t speak because their throats are so irritated by taking in salt water.
—Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
Similarly, your child can ease irritation by gargling salt water.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 24 Aug. 2023
The Best Way To Keep Apples From Turning Brown
The salt water works the best!
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2023
Artificial heat: In artificial heat processing, brine or other kinds of salt water is placed in a vacuum vessel that has enough pressure to boil the liquid.
—USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2023
Families also love Ocean City's claim to fame: salt water taffy.
—Rose Marie Walano, Country Living, 9 Aug. 2023
While there are limitations to farming this plant (it must be grown in salt water), vertical ocean farming systems are being created to more efficiently meet consumer demands.
—Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'saltwater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing saltwater
Dictionary Entries Near saltwater
Cite this Entry
“Saltwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saltwater. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
saltwater
adjective
salt·wa·ter
ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯt-ər
-ˌwät-
: relating to, living in, or consisting of salt water
More from Merriam-Webster on saltwater
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for saltwater
Nglish: Translation of saltwater for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about saltwater
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