desalinate

American  

[dee-sal-uh-neyt] / diˈsæl əˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

desalinated, desalinating

1. desalt.

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desalinate British  

/ diːˈsælɪˌneɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• desalination noun
• desalinator noun

Etymology

Origin of desalinate

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

Explanation

To desalinate something is to remove all the salt from it. It's possible to desalinate ocean water in order to make it drinkable. Scientists have figured out how to desalinate seawater, making it much more useful to humans. Once you strip away the salt and other minerals that make it undrinkable, the water can be used for both drinking and irrigating crops, which can save the lives of people experiencing droughts. It's also sometimes necessary to desalinate soil so that plants can grow in it. Desalinate comes from de-, "undo," and saline, "made of salt."

Example Sentences

"The big challenge is that you need a lot of energy to desalinate water and increase water production using zero liquid discharge," Dunn said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

India is among many countries that have built huge plants to desalinate sea water.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023

There are currently two techniques used to desalinate seawater - thermal and membrane.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2023

California also hosts about 20 brackish water plants which can desalinate slightly salty water from rivers, aqueducts and other sources.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2022

Plaquemines Parish officials also have plans to use reverse osmosis machines to desalinate drinking water there.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2022