desalinate

[dee-sal-uh-neyt]

verb (used with object)

desalinated, desalinating 

1. desalt.

desalinate

/ diːˈsælɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. Also: desalt. (tr) to remove the salt from (esp from sea water)

Other Word Forms

• desalination noun
• desalinator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desalinate¹

First recorded in 1945–50; de- + saline + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“The key strategy in overcoming it is to build in some diversification of supply — to groundwater, desalinated water and reused wastewater — in addition to reducing demand.”

From Los Angeles Times

It can even desalinate water quickly, which means ocean water could potentially be used to fight a blaze like the Palisades fire in the future.

From Los Angeles Times

They say it’s not really desalinating seawater in the traditional sense, but rather harvesting fresh water from devices that function like wells in the ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

While desalination facilities are abundant in countries like Israel, Australia, and Saudi Arabia where water scarcity is acute, the energy required to desalinate water at scale presents a significant environmental hurdle.

From Science Daily

Polhemus said the costs for purifying wastewater will probably be about half the costs of desalinating ocean water.

From Los Angeles Times