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Desalinate: meaning, definitions and examples

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desalinate

 

[ dɪˈsælɪneɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

water treatment

To desalinate means to remove the salt and other impurities from seawater or brackish water, making it suitable for human consumption or irrigation. The process typically involves techniques such as reverse osmosis or distillation. Desalination is increasingly vital in areas where fresh water is scarce, and it serves as a critical solution to water shortages around the globe. It is a complex and energy-intensive process but has become widely adopted in coastal regions.

Synonyms

purify, refine, treat

Examples of usage

  • The plant can desalinate 100 million liters of seawater per day.
  • Governments are investing in technology to desalinate water more efficiently.
  • Desalinate methods are essential for arid regions with limited freshwater sources.

Translations

Translations of the word "desalinate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desalinizar

🇮🇳 नमकीन पानी को मीठा करना

🇩🇪 entsalzen

🇮🇩 desalinasi

🇺🇦 десалінізувати

🇵🇱 odsolić

🇯🇵 脱塩する

🇫🇷 désaliniser

🇪🇸 desalinizar

🇹🇷 tuzdan arındırmak

🇰🇷 탈염하다

🇸🇦 إزالة الملح

🇨🇿 odsolovat

🇸🇰 odsoľovať

🇨🇳 淡化

🇸🇮 desalinizirati

🇮🇸 afsalta

🇰🇿 тұздан арылту

🇬🇪 სალინის გამჭვირვალობა

🇦🇿 duzdan təmizləmək

🇲🇽 desalinizar

Word origin

The term 'desalinate' originates from the prefix 'de-', which means 'removal' or 'reversal,' combined with 'salinate,' derived from 'salinity,' the concentration of salts in water. The first known use of desalination in modern contexts dates back to the 1950s, although the techniques to remove salt from water have been practiced for centuries. Early methods included solar evaporation and distillation, commonly used in maritime and fishing communities. As awareness of freshwater scarcity increased, particularly in arid regions, advancements in science and technology led to the development of more efficient desalination processes, such as reverse osmosis. Today, desalination plays a crucial role in providing safe drinking water and supporting agricultural needs in many parts of the world, reflecting humanity's ongoing struggle with water resource management.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,067, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.