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

There are ocean gastropods found in the deep sea, saltwater gastropods on coral reefs, freshwater gastropods in lakes, ponds and rivers, and even gastropods that live entirely on land or in tropical rainforests, according to Britannica. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025

Unlike other moray eels that are brightly colored and live in primarily saltwater environments, Hades’ snake moray can be found in estuaries across southern Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, southern Java, and Fiji. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 Jan. 2025

Noun

For most people, gargling salt water is generally safe as long as your healthcare provider gives the go-ahead. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Jan. 2025

While some fire hydrants in Los Angeles ran dry amid the extreme wildfires, people wondered if firefighters could use salt water from the ocean instead of depleting fresh water sources. —Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025

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