What does seawater mean?
Seawater is the water found in oceans and seas, distinguished from freshwater by the substantial concentration of dissolved salts and other minerals. The word is commonly used in contexts involving swimming, diving, sailing, coastal ecosystems, and marine science. It can refer to a general substance, as in “the seawater washed over the rocks,” or to the water of a particular body, as in “Arctic seawater.” Seawater is also distinct from ordinary salt water used for cooking: seawater contains many minerals and microorganisms and is not appropriate for consumption. The term is generally understandable throughout the English-speaking world, while its spelling follows the standard convention of keeping the compound together.
nounWater from the sea or ocean, typically containing dissolved salts and other minerals. Seawater may also refer broadly to the water of a coastal or tidal body.
- Water taken from the sea or ocean, especially when considered as a salty substance or as the medium in which someone swims, sails, or works.
"The waves brought cold seawater across the deck as the storm approached."
"Marine biologists collected samples of seawater at different depths."
"He rinsed the salt from his hands with freshwater before eating."
Rarely pluralized because seawater is normally an uncountable mass noun.
"The researchers compared seawaters from several different coastal regions."
Nearly all the water on Earth is seawater, making it the world's largest and saltiest connected body of water.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seawater come from?
Seawater is an English compound formed from sea and water. Sea comes from Old English sæ, while water comes from Old English wæter, both inherited through English from Germanic roots. The compound reflects the longstanding English distinction between the salty water of the sea and fresh water from rivers, lakes, and springs.
How seawater is actually used
Seawater is normally used as an uncountable mass noun. In technical and environmental contexts, it can refer to the water of a particular sea or ocean system.
Easily confused with seawater
Seawater comes from the sea and usually contains substantial salt, whereas freshwater comes from rivers, lakes, springs, or rain and has little or no salt.