salutation
noun
sal·u·ta·tion
ˌsal-yə-ˈtā-shən 
1
a
: an expression of greeting, goodwill, or courtesy by word, gesture, or ceremony
b
2
: the word or phrase of greeting (such as Gentlemen or Dear Sir or Madam) that conventionally comes immediately before the body of a letter
Synonyms
Examples of salutation in a Sentence
A handshake and saying “hello” are common salutations.
Shaking hands is a form of salutation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Feel like sleeping in rather than rising for sun salutations?
—
Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 31 Jan. 2025
The King and Queen's office was first to announce the news about Athena's arrival with a statement on social media, and Princess Beatrice's younger sister, Princess Eugenie, sent salutations on Instagram.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
The varieties of headbutting that form a lamb’s language of salutation.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
Through the spring and summer, the Garden State offered salutations to pedestrians from the tops of London taxis and beckoned from German train platforms.
—Will Peischel, Curbed, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for salutation 
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Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 31 Jan. 2025
The King and Queen's office was first to announce the news about Athena's arrival with a statement on social media, and Princess Beatrice's younger sister, Princess Eugenie, sent salutations on Instagram.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
The varieties of headbutting that form a lamb’s language of salutation.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
Through the spring and summer, the Garden State offered salutations to pedestrians from the tops of London taxis and beckoned from German train platforms.
—Will Peischel, Curbed, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for salutation
Dictionary Entries Near salutation
Cite this Entry
“Salutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salutation. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
salutation
noun
sal·u·ta·tion
ˌsal-yə-ˈtā-shən
1
: an expression of greeting, goodwill, or courtesy
2
: the word or phrase of greeting that begins a letter
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