Epsom salt

noun

Ep·​som salt ˈep-səm- How to pronounce Epsom salt (audio)
: epsom salts

Examples of Epsom salt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Epsom salt is also not registered or labeled as a pesticide. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026 Epsom salt actually can make a lawn greener, but only if what the lawn was lacking in the first place was magnesium. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 26 June 2026 Epsom salt is generally pricier than rock salt and has some temperature limitations. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026 Both of these products lower the freezing temperature of water, like Epsom salt, but do so much quicker and at lower temperatures. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Epsom salt

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Epsom salt was in 1770

Rhymes for Epsom salt

See All Rhymes for Epsom salt

Browse Nearby Words

epsomite
Epsom salt
Epsom salts
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Epsom salt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Epsom%20salt. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Epsom salt

noun
Ep·​som salt ˌep-səm- How to pronounce Epsom salt (audio)
: a bitter colorless or white salt of magnesium used especially as a strong laxative
—usually used in plural

Medical Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All