salt flat

American  

noun

1. an extensive level tract coated with salt deposits left by evaporation of rising groundwater or a temporary body of surface water.

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salt flat British  

noun

1. a flat expanse of salt left by the total evaporation of a body of water

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Etymology

Origin of salt flat

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

“We’re talking about a living ecosystem, because what you’re extracting from this salt flat is water. And water is life,” Garcés said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2024

"You have this seemingly dry salt flat, but there are nooks and crannies. And between the salt and the sediment there are little pockets of water that are really high in dissolved phosphate," Haas said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2024

At the crest of the Andes in Southwestern Bolivia lies a searing white salt flat called the Salar de Uyuni.

From National Geographic • Jan. 11, 2024

Groom Lake is a salt flat, or dried-out lake, adjacent to the airport.

From Salon • Aug. 22, 2023

As we rode out and approached the location, we dropped a man every half mile until the hill and adjoining salt flat had been surrounded.

From A Texas Matchmaker by Adams, Andy