saltwater

1 of 2

adjective

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

salt water

2 of 2

noun

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

2

: 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

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

Examples of saltwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There are fishing cats, leopard cats, saltwater crocodiles and rare river dolphins, all seen best from a boat. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

One hypothesis suggested that early alligators were saltwater tolerant and then later lost the trait. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025

Noun

Some evidence suggests that rinsing with salt water may help ease these symptoms. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025

In 1954, 420,000 first- and second-graders were given the Salk shot, and 200,000 got a shot of salt water. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing saltwater

• saltwater taffy

Rhymes for saltwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater

Kids Definition

saltwater

adjective

salt·​wa·​ter ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: relating to, living in, or consisting of salt water