sauna
Americannoun
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a bath that uses dry heat to induce perspiration, and in which steam is produced by pouring water on heated stones.
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a bathhouse or room, usually of wood, equipped for such a bath.
verb (used without object)
noun
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an invigorating bath originating in Finland in which the bather is subjected to hot steam, usually followed by a cold plunge or by being lightly beaten with birch twigs
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the place in which such a bath is taken
Etymology
Origin of sauna
Borrowed into English from Finnish around 1880–85
Explanation
A sauna is a small therapeutic hot room. Some people use a sauna at the gym or pool, where they sit and relax, enjoying the cleansing heat. If there’s a separate steam room, then the sauna provides dry heat. In many Scandinavian countries, saunas are very common — in Finland, it's not unusual to have a sauna in or attached to your house. People who enjoy saunas find the steam, usually created by pouring water onto hot rocks, to be very relaxing and to have health benefits as well. The word sauna is Finnish, used to refer to both the structure of the room and the steam bath itself.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The new offering will likely include an infrared sauna and a red light therapy bed, among other things.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
“A separate suite with a private entrance is the perfect flex space for a creative studio, work-from-home office, full-size gym with infrared sauna, second kitchen, full bathroom, private deck, and yard,” the listing reads.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
The entirety of the 10th floor is occupied by the palatial primary suite, which features its own spa-style bathroom, a sauna, a workout room, dual dressing rooms, as well as a private terrace.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
Donavan said visitors to her sauna came for a range of reasons, including those looking for a sense of community or to escape a feeling of isolation.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
A sauna isn’t really a bath at all; our sauna at Cape Kennedy was a small room with wooden walls, floor, and ceiling.
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
