saturated

[sach-uh-rey-tid]

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.

saturated

/ 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

saturated

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonsaturated adjective
• subsaturated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of saturated¹

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

Example Sentences

When the hurricane hit, the RV’s roof started leaking and the ceiling eventually became saturated, along with the walls.

Read more on MarketWatch

Ms. Belluz and Mr. Hall put forward the usual proposals—restrictions on marketing unhealthy food to children, taxes on soda, and warning labels about added sugar, salt and saturated fat.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

For years PepsiCo has gradually reduced the sodium, saturated fat and sugar content in its products.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Then, it must have high amounts of saturated fat, sodium, or added sugar, or contain certain kinds of non-nutritive sweeteners.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Brands know this and are creating opportunities to show off their "uniqueness" in "a bid to appeal to their audience in an increasingly saturated market", she adds.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• soaked www.thesaurus.com
• soggy 
• waterlogged