sauna

noun

sau·​na ˈsȯ-nə  ˈsau̇-nə 

1

: a Finnish steam bath in which the steam is provided by water thrown on hot stones

also : a bathhouse or room used for such a bath

2

: a dry heat bath

also : a room or cabinet used for such a bath

Examples of sauna in a Sentence

The health club has a pool and a sauna.

He talked about the benefits of taking a sauna regularly.

Recent Examples on the Web

The wet room consists of a sauna and a steam room clad in deep-blue tiles; at one end is a Japanese Ofuru tub for hydrotherapy. —Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025

My stay included a one-hour massage and full spa access (cold plunge, hot tub, and sauna included). —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 June 2025

Across two different continents, extreme temperatures (a sauna and a cold plunge were involved), and several beverages, Carpenter was deeply insightful and charming. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025

Not managed carefully, the enclosed environment could rapidly create sauna conditions, literally steaming plants. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Finnish

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sauna

• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna
• fauna
• gonna
• mana
• tswana
• wanna
• asana
• chicana
• iguana

Kids Definition

sauna

noun

sau·​na ˈsau̇-nə  ˈsȯ-nə 

: a Finnish steam bath

Medical Definition

sauna

noun

sau·​na ˈsau̇-nə  ˈsȯ-nə 

1

: a Finnish steam bath in which the steam is provided by water thrown on hot stones

also : a bathhouse or room used for such a bath

2

: a dry heat bath

also : a room or cabinet used for such a bath