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
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
Gourmet2
: 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
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
Wendy Williams Examples of saltwater in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Ideal for saltwater fishing, this lightweight option breaks down into two pieces for easy carrying.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Wash your doors and threshold with salt water to set strong psychic boundaries against harmful energies.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saltwater
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Adjective
The pool is saltwater with a Baja shelf and swim jets, paired with a hot tub for warmer soaks.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Ideal for saltwater fishing, this lightweight option breaks down into two pieces for easy carrying.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
They can be found wherever salt water makes waves, but particularly in the warmer surface layers of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Wash your doors and threshold with salt water to set strong psychic boundaries against harmful energies.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saltwater
Cite this Entry
“Saltwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saltwater. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
saltwater
adjective
salt·wa·ter
ˈsȯlt-ˌwȯt-ər
-ˌwät-
: relating to, living in, or consisting of salt water
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