saturation

noun

sat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌsa-chə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of saturating : the state of being saturated

b

: satiety, surfeit

2

: conversion of an unsaturated to a saturated chemical compound (as by hydrogenation)

3

: a state of maximum impregnation: such as

a

: complete infiltration : permeation

b

: the presence in air of the most water possible under existent pressure and temperature

c

: magnetization to the point beyond which a further increase in the intensity of the magnetizing force will produce no further magnetization

4

a

: chromatic purity : freedom from dilution with white

b(1)

: degree of difference from the gray having the same lightness

—used of an object color

(2)

: degree of difference from the achromatic light-source color of the same brightness

—used of a light-source color compare hue sense 2c

5

: the supplying of a market with as much of a product as it will absorb

6

: an overwhelming concentration of military forces or firepower

Examples of saturation in a Sentence

Heavy rains resulted in the saturation of the soil.

the saturation of advertising on television

Recent Examples on the Web

Blood oxygen saturation was fairly accurate, and measurements were within 1 to 2 percent of what was displayed on my Apple Watch and Garmin Epix. —Chuong Nguyen, Ars Technica, 25 Oct. 2023

With the strikes over, though, Disney still plans to cut its content budget to $25 billion in 2024. Disney+ has been criticized for the saturation of original content (Marvel and Star Wars). —Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 9 Nov. 2023

The exhibition unravel in a chromatic journey which leads the visitor through different rooms of reds, greens, and pinks: a saturation of colours which has always been his distinctive feature. —Photovogue, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2023

Given what Mann says is now a saturation of air purifier makers, Oransi has redesigned its product to be less-labor intensive. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023

On the body side of the GTS 4 Mini's tracking, the watch can measure heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep, and stress. —Chuong Nguyen, Ars Technica, 25 Oct. 2023

Start with pale yellow paint and run to the opposite end of the saturation spectrum with indigo blue. —Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023

The live special format has reached global saturation and popularity thanks to streaming platforms, YouTube and social media. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 29 Sep. 2023

Leading her Billboard 200 saturation is Midnights at No. 5 with 53,000 equivalent album units earned in the Aug. 18-24 tracking week, according to Luminate. —Xander Zellner, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing saturation

• saturation point
• saturation bombing

• saturation point
• saturation bombing

Kids Definition

saturation

noun

sat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌsach-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of saturating

2

: the state of being saturated

Medical Definition

saturation

noun

sat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌsach-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of saturating : the state of being saturated

2

: conversion of an unsaturated to a saturated chemical compound (as by hydrogenation)

3

: a state of maximum impregnation

especially : the presence in air of the most water possible under existent pressure and temperature

4

a

: the one of the three psychological dimensions of color perception that is related to the purity of the color and that decreases as the amount of white present in the stimulus increases

called also intensity

compare brightness, hue

b(1)

: degree of difference from the gray having the same lightness

—used of an object color

(2)

: degree of difference from the achromatic light-source color of the same brightness

—used of a light-source color