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
Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Oct. 2024
Western North Carolina and specifically the city of Asheville were particularly hard hit, and thousands of residents remain without power or fresh water.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for freshwater 
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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
From flour to soap to fresh water – UNRWA had it
UNRWA’s role became broader and even more critical when the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in 2023.
—Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Oct. 2024
Western North Carolina and specifically the city of Asheville were particularly hard hit, and thousands of residents remain without power or fresh water.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 Sep. 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 21 Nov. 2024.
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