What does desalinator mean?
A desalinator is a machine or installation that makes saline water usable by removing dissolved salts, most often converting seawater into fresh or potable water. The process is called desalination and usually produces a concentrated brine stream that must also be managed. Desalinators are used by municipal utilities, coastal industries, ships, and facilities that depend on a reliable local supply of fresh water. The term is chiefly technical: in public discussion, “desalination plant” is often more familiar for a large facility, while “desalinator” can refer to the particular equipment or installation. Its importance has grown as coastal regions and dry areas seek alternatives to conventional freshwater sources, although desalination remains energy-intensive compared with many established water-supply methods. The word is useful because it names the agent that performs desalination while distinguishing it from equipment designed chiefly to remove water rather than salt.
nounA machine or installation that removes dissolved salts from saline water, especially seawater, to produce fresh or potable water.
- A device or installation that removes dissolved salts from saline water to produce fresh or potable water.
"The new desalinator will supply fresh water to the coastal community."
"The new desalinator will supply fresh water to the coastal community."
"Sailors used a compact desalinator to obtain drinking water during their voyage."
The standard plural is formed by adding -s.
"Several desalinators operate along the coast."
A desalinator does not remove the water from seawater; it removes the salt and leaves fresh water behind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does desalinator come from?
Desalinator is an English agent noun formed from desalinate by adding the suffix -or, indicating a device that performs a specified action. Desalinate combines the prefix de-, meaning removal or reversal, with saline, meaning “of or containing salt”; saline derives from Latin salinus, from Latin sal, meaning “salt.” The same Latin root underlies salt and salinity.
Related word forms
How desalinator is actually used
Chiefly technical and formal. In general discussion, “desalination plant” is often more familiar when referring to a large facility, while “desalinator” can denote the specific equipment or installation.