saturated

American  

[sach-uh-rey-tid] / ˈsætʃ əˌreɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. soaked, impregnated, or imbued thoroughly; charged thoroughly or completely; brought to a state of saturation.

2. (of colors) of maximum chroma or purity; of the highest intensity of hue; free from admixture of white.

3. Chemistry.

   1. (of a solution) containing the maximum amount of solute capable of being dissolved under given conditions.

   2. (of an organic compound) containing no double or triple bonds; having each single bond attached to an atom or group.

   3. (of an inorganic compound) having no free valence electrons.

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saturated British  

/ ˈsætʃəˌreɪtɪd /

adjective

1. (of a solution or solvent) containing the maximum amount of solute that can normally be dissolved at a given temperature and pressure See also supersaturated

2. (of a colour) having a large degree of saturation

3. 1. containing no multiple bonds and thus being incapable of undergoing additional reactions

      a saturated hydrocarbon

   2. containing no unpaired valence electrons

4. (of a fat, esp an animal fat) containing a high proportion of fatty acids having single bonds See also polyunsaturated unsaturated

5. (of a vapour) containing the equilibrium amount of gaseous material at a given temperature and pressure See also supersaturated

6. (of a magnetic material) fully magnetized

7. extremely wet; soaked

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saturated Scientific  

/ săch′ə-rā′tĭd /

1. Relating to an organic compound in which all the carbon atoms are joined by single bonds and therefore cannot be combined with any additional atoms or radicals. Propane and cyclopentane are examples of saturated hydrocarbons.

2. Compare unsaturated

3. Relating to a solution that is unable to dissolve more of a solute.

4. Containing as much water vapor as is possible at a given temperature. Air that is saturated has a relative humidity of 100 percent.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsaturated adjective
• subsaturated adjective

Etymology

Origin of saturated

First recorded in 1660–70; saturate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Tech platforms are now saturated with what is widely dubbed "AI slop".

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Ancora offers a much more affordable waterfront lifestyle for those buyers who are priced out of South Florida’s more saturated markets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

In contrast to Kennedy’s declaration in January that the U.S. was “ending the war on saturated fat,” the heart association continues to recommend unsaturated fat sources over saturated ones for the sake of cardiovascular health.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Robe enveloped the lounge in a saturated Kelly Green.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

There he stood, a cut on his cheek, his clothes wrinkled and gray, even his hair saturated with dust.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Related Words

• soaked
• soggy
• waterlogged