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saltwater

adjective salt·wa·ter \ ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯ-tər , -ˌwä- \

Definition of saltwater

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

See saltwater defined for English-language learners

See saltwater defined for kids

First Known Use of saltwater

1528

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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salt water

noun
variants: or less commonly saltwater

Definition of salt water

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

First Known Use of salt water

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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SALTWATER Defined for English Language Learners

saltwater

adjective

Definition of saltwater for English Language Learners

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

SALTWATER Defined for Kids

saltwater

adjective salt·wa·ter \ ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯ-tər , -ˌwä- \

Definition of saltwater for Students

: relating to or living in salt water
  • a saltwater fish

Learn More about saltwater

  1. See words that rhyme with saltwater Spanish Central: Translation of saltwater Nglish: Translation of saltwater for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about saltwater

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