Puget Sound

American  

[] / ˈpju dʒɪt ˈsaʊnd /

noun

1. an inlet of the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Washington State, forming the southern portion of the Salish Sea.

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Puget Sound British  

/ ˈpjuːdʒɪt /

noun

1. an inlet of the Pacific in NW Washington. Length: about 130 km (80 miles)

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Etymology

Origin of Puget Sound

First recorded as Puget’s Sound; named after British naval lieutenant Peter Puget (1765–1832), who accompanied George Vancouver on the Vancouver Expedition (1792)

Example Sentences

Visitors can enjoy oysters along the Puget Sound or spend a day hiking at Mount Rainier National Park.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

The pact provides a fixed-price capacity payment providing Puget Sound with the exclusive right to the capacity, energy and services of the 700-megawatt facility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Spotted ratfish are among the most common fish in Puget Sound.

From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2025

"Some notable production issues, related especially to the decision to create Boeing's first ever production line outside of the Puget Sound area."

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2025

Arthur, the youngest, was the only one to remain on Puget Sound.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson