salutation

American  

[sal-yuh-tey-shuhn] / ˌsæl yəˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of saluting.

2. something uttered, written, or done by way of saluting.

3. a word or phrase serving as the prefatory greeting in a letter or speech, as Dear Sir in a letter or Ladies and Gentlemen in a speech.

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salutation British  

/ ˌsæljʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. an act, phrase, gesture, etc, that serves as a greeting

2. a form of words used as an opening to a speech or letter, such as Dear Sir or Ladies and Gentlemen

3. the act of saluting

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Usage

What does salutation mean? A salutation is a word, phrase, or gesture used as a greeting. Most commonly, salutation refers to the introductory greeting in a letter or email (such as Dear Professor Smith), or the way you greet a person when you see them in real life (such as saying hello and shaking their hand). Salutations can be formal or informal. Less commonly, salutation refers to the action of saluting. Example: To avoid spreading germs, many people are abandoning the traditional handshake in favor of salutations that don’t involve touching.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• salutationless
  adjective
• salutational
  adjective
• nonsalutation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of salutation

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin salūtātiōn- (stem of salūtātiō ) greeting, equivalent to salūtāt ( us ) (past participle of salūtāre to greet; see salute, -ate ¹) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A salutation is a greeting, whether it's "Dear sir" in a letter or "Hey there!" in person. The expression "Greetings and salutations!" contains two words meaning pretty much the same thing: A salutation is a form of greeting. In a letter, the salutation is the part that says "To whom it may concern" or "Dear John." When we talk, we give salutations like "hello," "hi there," "hey," and "welcome." Another more formal type of salutation gives honor to others — like a salute.

Example Sentences

About 40 other residents in the area were evacuated, with some staying at the nearby Salutation Hotel, which is being used a respite centre.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2025

Since 2005, he has also held the position of head gardener for the Salutation, a private mansion turned boutique hotel in the medieval port town of Sandwich, Kent, in the English countryside.

From New York Times • Oct. 11, 2019

Schrödinger Salutation for the still-birth of a comedic analogy.

From The Guardian • Aug. 2, 2017

How to do a sun salutation yoga sequence: D.C.-based yoga instructor Mimi Rieger demonstrates, step by step, how to do Sun Salutation A, a popular yoga sequence.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2014

Among the ruins of the abbey were discovered a fibula, and a gold ring, on which were engraved, the Salutation of the Virgin Mary, and the initials I.M.

From Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set. by Dugdale, Thomas Cantrell