freshwater

1 of 2

adjective

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

fresh water

2 of 2

noun

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

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

2

: a body of fresh water

The hydrosphere includes oceans, fresh water, glaciers, and ice caps.

—Leigh Broadhurst

compare salt water

Examples of freshwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

As a dog gets older, their digestive system changes, so owners should focus on high-quality ingredients and fresh water daily. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Landed during the rainy season in a swamp, the emigrants found neither fresh water nor waterproof dwellings awaiting them, though they were shortly regaled with a supply of skates! —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing freshwater

• freshwater drum
• freshwater pearl

Kids Definition

freshwater

adjective

fresh·​wa·​ter

ˌfresh-ˌwȯt-ər,

-ˌwät-

: of, relating to, or living in fresh water

a freshwater fish