meltwater

noun

melt·​wa·​ter ˈmelt-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: water derived from the melting of ice and snow

Examples of meltwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All this is to say that the longest in the world may have actually taken place in the woods, where more skiers than ever are now skimming the backcountry meltwater all spring long—just like the Slush Cup pioneers, Cyril Paris and Cliff White. —Anna Fiorentino, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025

Pelicans add another dimension to the scene on these deep lakes, formed roughly 12,000 years ago after the glaciers retreated allowing meltwater to form Channel Lake, Lake Marie, Loon Lake and others in northern Illinois. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025

The startup behind the idea, Arctic Water Bank, plans to build a dam in South Greenland, capture meltwater, and then transport it around the world by boat in bulk water carriers. —Ole Ellekrog, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024

Data from the research expedition also suggests high biological productivity, and a strong meltwater flow from the ice shelf, known as the George VI. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meltwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater

Kids Definition

meltwater

noun

melt·​wa·​ter ˈmelt-ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: water that comes from the melting of ice and snow