Saltwater: meaning, definitions and examples
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saltwater
[ ˈsɔltˌwɔːtər ]
ocean water
Saltwater refers to water that contains a significant concentration of dissolved salts, primarily sodium chloride. It is most commonly found in oceans and seas, comprising about 97% of the Earth's water supply. Saltwater is essential for marine life and plays a critical role in the global climate system.
Synonyms
brine, ocean water, sea water.
Examples of usage
- The saltwater of the ocean is home to diverse aquatic species.
- Saltwater fishing is a popular recreational activity.
- Many saltwater plants can survive in harsh marine environments.
Translations
Translations of the word "saltwater" in other languages:
🇵🇹 água salgada
🇮🇳 नमकीन पानी
🇩🇪 Salzwasser
🇮🇩 air asin
🇺🇦 солона вода
🇵🇱 woda słona
🇯🇵 塩水 (しおみず)
🇫🇷 eau salée
🇪🇸 agua salada
🇹🇷 tuzlu su
🇰🇷 소금물
🇸🇦 مياه مالحة
🇨🇿 slaná voda
🇸🇰 slaná voda
🇨🇳 盐水 (yánshuǐ)
🇸🇮 slana voda
🇮🇸 saltvatn
🇰🇿 тұзды су
🇬🇪 მარილიანი წყალი
🇦🇿 duzlu su
🇲🇽 agua salada
Etymology
The term 'saltwater' combines the English word 'salt,' derived from the Old English 'sealt,' which traces back to Proto-Germanic *saltą and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European *sal-, meaning 'salt.' The word 'water' comes from Old English 'wæter,' which originates from Proto-Germanic *watōr and Proto-Indo-European *wódr, meaning 'water' or 'fluid.' The combination of these two terms has been used since the early English period to denote water with high salinity, primarily found in the oceans and seas. Saltwater is distinguished from freshwater, which is found in rivers and lakes, and is critical to the understanding of Earth’s ecological systems. Historically, civilizations have depended on saltwater for food, transportation, and commerce, shaping many coastal cultures around the world.