saltwater
UK: ˈsɔːltˌwɔːtə | US: ˈsɒltˌwɔːtər
adj. consisting of or living in water mixed with salt
n. water containing dissolved salt, especially seawater
The word "saltwater" is a straightforward compound of "salt" (from Old English sealt, meaning "salty substance") and "water" (from Old English wæter, meaning "liquid H₂O"). It reflects a direct descriptive combination, common in English for natural phenomena. The term has been used since at least the 14th century to describe seawater or brackish environments, emphasizing the dissolved salt content as a defining feature.
Saltwater fish require specialized aquariums to survive.
The ocean is the largest source of saltwater on Earth.
She rinsed the wound with saltwater to prevent infection.
Saltwater intrusion is a growing problem in coastal aquifers.
The boat was designed to withstand harsh saltwater conditions.