salt pan

American  

noun

1. an undrained natural depression, as a crater or tectonic basin, in which the evaporation of water leaves a deposit of salt.

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salt pan Scientific  

1. A small, undrained, shallow depression in which water accumulates, evaporates, and deposits salt.

2. A small lake of brackish water occupying such a depression.

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Etymology

Origin of salt pan

First recorded in 1485–95

Example Sentences

Poornima, a salt pan worker, sips black tea during the day -- saying the hot drink induces sweating in the dry weather to cool the body.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

As the climate warmed and the ice retreated, the lake dried up, leaving a white salt pan in its place.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

Etosha National Park is one of southern Africa's top tourist attractions, known for its vast salt pan that can be seen from space.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2025

Sea salt production over the last 10 years had averaged around 1.3 tonnes per salt pan but this year the yield was nearly double at 2.5 tonnes, he said.

From Reuters • Aug. 8, 2022

Livingstone discovered one large salt pan with a deposit of salt an inch and a half in thickness.

From The World and Its People: Book VII Views in Africa by Badlam, Anna B.