Great Salt Lake

American  

noun

1. a shallow salt lake in northwestern Utah. 2,300 sq. mi. (5,950 sq. km); 80 miles (130 kilometers) long; maximum depth 60 feet (18 meters).

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Great Salt Lake British  

noun

1. a shallow salt lake in NW Utah, in the Great Basin at an altitude of 1260 m (4200 ft): the area has fluctuated from less than 2500 sq km (1000 sq miles) to over 5000 sq km (2000 sq miles)

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Great Salt Lake Cultural  

1. Shallow body of salt water in northwestern Utah.

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Discover More

Salt Lake City is near the Great Salt Lake.

Largest body of salt water in North America.

Etymology

Origin of Great Salt Lake

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

“Also, we’re in a situation where the Great Salt Lake is drying out, and we haven’t even begun to stop the decline.”

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

“Every Utahn is aware of our shrinking and dying Great Salt Lake and the role that plays in our economy, our climate, the lake effect, even for sending snow to ski resorts.”

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

Their presence in the Great Salt Lake suggests they likely play a meaningful role there as well.

From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2026

First, how did these worms arrive in the Great Salt Lake?

From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2026

She’d been with him at the Great Salt Lake.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan