saturated

American  

[sach-uh-rey-tid] / ˈsætʃ əˌreɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. soaked, impregnated, or imbued thoroughly; charged thoroughly or completely; brought to a state of saturation.

2. (of colors) of maximum chroma or purity; of the highest intensity of hue; free from admixture of white.

3. Chemistry.

   1. (of a solution) containing the maximum amount of solute capable of being dissolved under given conditions.

   2. (of an organic compound) containing no double or triple bonds; having each single bond attached to an atom or group.

   3. (of an inorganic compound) having no free valence electrons.

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saturated British  

/ ˈsætʃəˌreɪtɪd /

adjective

1. (of a solution or solvent) containing the maximum amount of solute that can normally be dissolved at a given temperature and pressure See also supersaturated

2. (of a colour) having a large degree of saturation

3. 1. containing no multiple bonds and thus being incapable of undergoing additional reactions

      a saturated hydrocarbon

   2. containing no unpaired valence electrons

4. (of a fat, esp an animal fat) containing a high proportion of fatty acids having single bonds See also polyunsaturated unsaturated

5. (of a vapour) containing the equilibrium amount of gaseous material at a given temperature and pressure See also supersaturated

6. (of a magnetic material) fully magnetized

7. extremely wet; soaked

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saturated Scientific  

/ săch′ə-rā′tĭd /

1. Relating to an organic compound in which all the carbon atoms are joined by single bonds and therefore cannot be combined with any additional atoms or radicals. Propane and cyclopentane are examples of saturated hydrocarbons.

2. Compare unsaturated

3. Relating to a solution that is unable to dissolve more of a solute.

4. Containing as much water vapor as is possible at a given temperature. Air that is saturated has a relative humidity of 100 percent.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsaturated
  adjective
• subsaturated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of saturated

First recorded in 1660–70; saturate + -ed ²

Explanation

Saturated means drenched and full. When you fish out a slice of bread that’s fallen into your water glass and find it’s disgustingly spongy and waterlogged, it’s saturated. Saturated originally meant “satisfied," but by the 1700s it could mean “soaked thoroughly.” In the twentieth century it developed marketing connotations, as in a saturated market — one without room for competition. In chemistry, saturated refers to an organic compound, like a fatty acid, that contains the highest number of hydrogen atoms possible. When it comes to color, saturated means pure, or undiluted with white, grey, or black.

Example Sentences

Saturated fat has been taken off the black list.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Saturated fat also boosts the level of triglycerides in the blood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025

Saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels, hence why seed oils grew in popularity over the past century.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2025

Saturated ground from previous rains was also an aggravating factor.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2024

Saturated with literary traditions, frankly turning to history, legend, and literature itself for his inspiration, Mr. Phillips has written a number of acting dramas, all of them possessing stage value, while remaining real poetry.

From How to See a Play by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

Related Words

• soaked
• soggy
• waterlogged