fresh·wa·ter
ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər 
-ˈwä-
1
a
: consisting of or containing fresh water
freshwater marshes
freshwater aquariums
compare saltwater
b
: living in or taken from fresh water
freshwater mussels/fish
freshwater pearls
c
: relating to or taking place in fresh water
freshwater diving/sailing
2
US, dated
: inland and usually provincial
a freshwater college
variants
or less commonly freshwater
ˈfresh-ˈwȯ-tər
-ˈwä-
1
: water that is not salty
… the lake holds the largest volume of fresh water in the world, 5,000 cubic miles.—
Philip Taubman
Philip Taubman
also
: water that is considered suitable for consumption
He saw many islands, but they were flat or rocky or they lacked fresh water or their anchorage was too shallow. —John Taylor
John Taylor 2
: a body of fresh water
The hydrosphere includes oceans, fresh water, glaciers, and ice caps.—Leigh Broadhurst
compare salt water
Leigh BroadhurstExamples of freshwater in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
Northern snakeheads are freshwater fish and live in small and large streams, canals, rivers, ponds, reservoirs and lakes, according to the agency.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026
Always bring fresh water and a bowl with you on hot days.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for freshwater
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Adjective
Spanning more than 70,000 acres along a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline, the park is home to the world's largest freshwater dune system.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
Northern snakeheads are freshwater fish and live in small and large streams, canals, rivers, ponds, reservoirs and lakes, according to the agency.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Noun
Nature trails are paved alongside the dramatic mountain peaks and clear fresh water streams run throughout the property.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026
Always bring fresh water and a bowl with you on hot days.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for freshwater
Cite this Entry
“Freshwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshwater. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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