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

Switching to Natural tones down the saturation, though colors are still punchy. —PCMAG, 6 Apr. 2024

The diamond, classified as Type IIa, features VS1 clarity alongside strong saturation, a very vivid hue, and flawless polish and symmetry. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024

When they were introduced to sleep saturation, they were allowed to sleep for nine hours on two other nights. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024

Acknowledging the saturation of the side hustle market is the first step toward crafting a sustainable venture. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

The sheer saturation of Taylor content was enough to irk those less disposed to her vibe — and there were gripes about that, too. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2024

The tool measures the saturation of oxygen in the device wearer's red blood cells. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2024

This has led to saturation in the domestic market — a good thing, climate activists say, as the world’s largest polluter transitions to renewable energy — after manufacturers churned out electric cars, batteries, solar panels and wind turbines faster than China needs. —Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024

One reason is saturation: If people renovated during the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re done. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing saturation

• 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