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
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
Synonyms
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
Tailor the formality of your response to the original sender: Professional invitations, for instance, will require formal salutations and closings, while an email to a friend can be more casual and light-hearted.
—
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2023
Perhaps mundane for many, these small-town visions were my summer salutation, a tip of the hat from Tamarack welcoming us to the good life.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
In 2020, the proud mom shared a split-image post, showing her daughter attempting the sun salutation pose as a toddler and mastering the position several years later.
—Audrey Schmidt, Peoplemag, 20 Oct. 2023
Farther into the boulders and creosote is a perfectly round platform ready for sun salutations or stargazing.
—John Wogan Laura Bannister Tariro Mzezewa Elissa Suh Dana Covit Jameson Montgomery, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2023
American Greetings invented Care Bears in 1981 as characters proffering loving Christmas or birthday salutations on its cards.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
His text messages usually begin with a salutation to me, followed quickly by his younger daughter’s name.
—Will Stephenson, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Happy Pride 2023:12 events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Phoenix in June What courtesy titles and salutations are appropriate for nonbinary people?
—Helen Rummel, The Arizona Republic, 16 June 2023
Whatever salutations are appropriate, welcome and congratulations on being a person with the courage and sheer decency to dump someone in person!
—Olivia Krauth, The Courier-Journal, 16 June 2023
See More
Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2023
Perhaps mundane for many, these small-town visions were my summer salutation, a tip of the hat from Tamarack welcoming us to the good life.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023
In 2020, the proud mom shared a split-image post, showing her daughter attempting the sun salutation pose as a toddler and mastering the position several years later.
—Audrey Schmidt, Peoplemag, 20 Oct. 2023
Farther into the boulders and creosote is a perfectly round platform ready for sun salutations or stargazing.
—John Wogan Laura Bannister Tariro Mzezewa Elissa Suh Dana Covit Jameson Montgomery, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2023
American Greetings invented Care Bears in 1981 as characters proffering loving Christmas or birthday salutations on its cards.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
His text messages usually begin with a salutation to me, followed quickly by his younger daughter’s name.
—Will Stephenson, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023
Happy Pride 2023:12 events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Phoenix in June What courtesy titles and salutations are appropriate for nonbinary people?
—Helen Rummel, The Arizona Republic, 16 June 2023
Whatever salutations are appropriate, welcome and congratulations on being a person with the courage and sheer decency to dump someone in person!
—Olivia Krauth, The Courier-Journal, 16 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'salutation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of salutation was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near salutation
Cite this Entry
“Salutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salutation. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on salutation
Nglish: Translation of salutation for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of salutation for Arabic Speakers
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