saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 

1

: full of moisture : made thoroughly wet

a saturated sponge

2

a

of a solution : unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a solute at a given temperature and pressure

If more material is added to a saturated solution, no further dissolving will take place. The extra material will simply settle to the bottom of the solution.

—Merill C. Fellger

b

: having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

saturated fatty acids

see also saturated fat compare unsaturated sense b

3

of a color : having high saturation (see saturation sense 4) : pure

The early spring sky is a deep saturated blue next to the muddy brown of the dry, scrubby hills ….

—Sonia Shaw

Synonyms

• dripping
• saturate
• bathed
• wet
• flooded
• washed
• soaked

Examples of saturated in a Sentence

His shirt was saturated with sweat.

the area's already saturated freeways

Recent Examples on the Web

This set includes eight in saturated tones, plus 30 faux maple leaves that are surprisingly detailed and great for scattering along a mantle or layering into a centerpiece. —Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025

Coconut is a high-calorie food rich in saturated fat that could potentially impact your heart disease risk. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 27 Aug. 2025

Hiring diverse creative talent and fostering a culture of nonlinear thinking is the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-saturated world. —Sean Dallaskidd, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Those with higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids—commonly found in fish oils—had a lower risk of the condition, while children with the highest intake of saturated fats—found in foods such as butter, red meat and palm oil—were more likely to show signs of the disorder. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing saturated

• saturated fat

Rhymes for saturated

• abdicated
• abrogated
• acclimated
• activated
• actuated
• adumbrated
• advocated
• aggravated
• aggregated
• agitated
• allocated
• alternated

Kids Definition

saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed

ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd

1

: full of moisture

2

a

: being a mixture that is unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a substance at a given temperature and pressure

b

: being a carbon compound having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms

saturated fats

Medical Definition

saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd 

1

of a solution : unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a solute at a given temperature and pressure

2

: having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

coconut oil is a saturated oil

see also saturated fat compare unsaturated sense b