fresh·wa·ter
ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər 
-ˈwä-
1
a
: consisting of or containing fresh water
freshwater marshes
freshwater aquariums
compare saltwater
b
: living in or taken from fresh water
freshwater mussels/fish
freshwater pearls
c
: relating to or taking place in fresh water
freshwater diving/sailing
2
US, dated
: inland and usually provincial
a freshwater college
or less commonly freshwater
ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər
-ˈwä-
1
: water that is not salty
… the lake holds the largest volume of fresh water in the world, 5,000 cubic miles.—
Philip Taubman
Philip Taubman
also
: water that is considered suitable for consumption
He saw many islands, but they were flat or rocky or they lacked fresh water or their anchorage was too shallow. —John Taylor
John Taylor 2
: a body of fresh water
The hydrosphere includes oceans, fresh water, glaciers, and ice caps.—Leigh Broadhurst
compare salt water
Leigh BroadhurstExamples of freshwater in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 16 May 2024
Recipes based on freshwater fish, like risotto with European perch, are a key part of local gastronomy.
—Vittoria Traverso, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
The first is that the dams have amounted to an ongoing assault on Indigenous communities and rights, and on the many fish that move between fresh water and the sea; removing the barriers will right historical wrongs.
—Michelle Weber, Longreads, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for freshwater 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Great Lakes are the freshwater heart of North America.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 16 May 2024
Recipes based on freshwater fish, like risotto with European perch, are a key part of local gastronomy.
—Vittoria Traverso, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
Noun
Then, soak in fresh water for up to an hour to help leach out some of the salt from the meat.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
The first is that the dams have amounted to an ongoing assault on Indigenous communities and rights, and on the many fish that move between fresh water and the sea; removing the barriers will right historical wrongs.
—Michelle Weber, Longreads, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for freshwater
Dictionary Entries Near freshwater
Cite this Entry
“Freshwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshwater. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share