desalination

American  

[dee-sal-uh nay-shuhn] / diˌsæl ə ˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. Chemistry. the intentional removal of salt from something, especially seawater, by any of various means, often reverse osmosis.

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desalination British  

/ diːˌsælɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the process of removing salt, esp from sea water so that it can be used for drinking or irrigation

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Other Word Forms

• desalinator noun

Explanation

When salt and other minerals are removed from soil or water, it's called desalination. Desalination can make sea water safe to drink. The term desalination adds the prefix de-, "undo," to salination, "adding salt." The salty heart of the word is saline, "containing or made of salt." The complex process of water desalination involves using electricity or extreme heat, and it's very expensive. Still, many people around the world depend on desalination of ocean water for drinking and watering crops.

Example Sentences

On Wednesday, there was a palpable sense of relief in Dubai, Doha and Kuwait that these Gulf cities avoided potentially catastrophic Iranian retaliatory strikes on their own power plants and water desalination facilities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Kuwait also reported that an Iranian attack significantly damaged a desalination plant, which supplies drinking water to the region.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The region has become the fastest growing market for electric cars, and China is also the largest investor in desalination in the Middle East, where potable water is scarce.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

These tube-like materials can strengthen polymers and metals or guide the movement of ions in batteries and desalination systems with far less resistance.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Meanwhile, on the other side of Pacific Coast Highway, on the long strip of Huntington Beach, frustrated crowds waiting for desalination machines have begun to take notice of his truck.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman