saltwater

1 of 2

adjective

salt·​wa·​ter ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

1

: consisting of or containing salt water

saltwater lagoons

a saltwater solution

compare freshwater

2

: living in or taken from salt water

saltwater fish

saltwater pearls

3

: relating to, associated with, or suitable for salt water

a saltwater rod

saltwater tales

salt water

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly saltwater

1

: water to which salt (as sodium chloride) has been added

flush the wound with salt water

We think all turkeys are improved by brining (soaking in salt water), but it's a cumbersome task that few holiday schedules can accommodate.

—Gourmet

2

: water (as of the ocean) that naturally contains a significant amount of salt : seawater

This deck shoe uses a patented leather that's virtually immune to salt water.

—Michael Verdon

also : a body of salt water

We hiked on, finally reaching the island's highest point, a lookout with sweeping views far out across the salt water.

—Wendy Williams

compare fresh water

Examples of saltwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Europa is the fourth-largest of Jupiter’s moons and has a saltwater ocean under its ice shell that has twice the amount of water contained in Earth’s oceans. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024

Tuna is a species of saltwater fish that is found in all the world's oceans, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024

Noun

Outside, there's a salt water pool and patio as well as a four-car garage with an electric car charger. —Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024

To roast pumpkin seeds: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Boil the clean seeds in salt water for 10 minutes. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing saltwater

• saltwater taffy

Kids Definition

saltwater

adjective

salt·​wa·​ter ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: relating to, living in, or consisting of salt water