salutation

noun

sal·​u·​ta·​tion ˌsal-yə-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: an expression of greeting, goodwill, or courtesy by word, gesture, or ceremony

b

salutations plural : regards

2

: the word or phrase of greeting (such as Gentlemen or Dear Sir or Madam) that conventionally comes immediately before the body of a letter

salutational

ˌsal-yə-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• tribute
• commendation
• citation
• hymn
• homage

Examples of salutation in a Sentence

A handshake and saying “hello” are common salutations.

Shaking hands is a form of salutation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Due to the limitations of that early technology, the salutation had to accommodate the longest name. —Jerry Weissman, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

What is the correct salutation to use when the recipient, and their gender, is unknown? —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025

Each email would contain the same body text, but the salutation would be customized with the recipient’s name. —Jerry Weissman, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Something as seemingly simple as including an emoji (or starting an email without a salutation) communicates information that will shape other people’s perspectives of your messages. —Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for salutation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

salutation

noun

sal·​u·​ta·​tion ˌsal-yə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an expression of greeting, goodwill, or courtesy

2

: the word or phrase of greeting that begins a letter

salutational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective