seawater

noun

sea·​wa·​ter ˈsē-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce seawater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: water in or from the sea

Examples of seawater 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.
His only source of liquid came from small amounts of seawater and his own urine, per China Daily. — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026 Farmed oysters still grow in natural seawater, still filter-feed on wild phytoplankton, and still take on the flavor of wherever they're grown. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026 Experts warn that just before a tsunami hits shore, seawater can first be drawn out to sea — exposing large swaths of beach and giving people along the water a false sense that a coast is safe. — William B. Davis, New York Times, 8 June 2026 The bones also were coated with a light layer of minerals from the surrounding seawater, which may have prevented them from degrading. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for seawater

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seawater was before the 12th century

Rhymes for seawater

See All Rhymes for seawater

Browse Nearby Words

sea watch
seawater
sea-water green
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seawater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seawater. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

seawater

noun
sea·​wa·​ter ˈsē-ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce seawater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: water in or from the sea

More from Merriam-Webster on seawater

Nglish: Translation of seawater for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seawater

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