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. See supersaturated
   (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. of a chemical compound
   1. containing no multiple bonds and thus being incapable of undergoing additional reactions

      a saturated hydrocarbon

   2. containing no unpaired valence electrons
4. See unsaturated, polyunsaturated
   (of a fat, esp an animal fat) containing a high proportion of fatty acids having single bonds See also polyunsaturated unsaturated
5. See supersaturated
   (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

/ 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.

Other Words From

• non·satu·rated adjective
• sub·satu·rated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of saturated¹

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

Example Sentences

A 2016 review found that plant-based diets were linked to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, because they’re generally low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and nutrient dense.

From Outside Online

Their total and saturated fat content is similar to ground beef that’s 80 percent lean, 20 percent fat.

From Outside Online

It’ll help you gain more traffic from Youtube views, which seems way less saturated than Google’s traditional search engine currently.

From Search Engine Watch

We first went over how the SEO competitive landscape in almost all niches were virtually not existent but now, it is all super saturated and competitive, even in really small niches.

From Search Engine Land

It certainly seemed like the super-saturated group was different.

From Science News For Students

All these talented chefs are graduating from these old-guard kitchens and branching out and the market is saturated.

From The Daily Beast

And the video takes its place alongside other gore-saturated shows and movies.

From The Daily Beast

At 96 percent water, cukes have no saturated fat or cholesterol, and are very high in vitamin K, vitamin B6 and iron.

From The Daily Beast

I pitched the colors, how saturated it was going to be—a living comic book is the way I wanted to do it.

From The Daily Beast

On the way down into Spain the road several times broke from tree cover in valleys that were a sea of saturated emerald.

From The Daily Beast

At once cover the mouth of the tube with a filter-paper cap moistened with saturated aqueous solution of silver nitrate (1:1).

From Project Gutenberg

His left arm, rudely bandaged in a shawl, hung heavy and useless at his side, and the bandage was saturated with blood.

From Project Gutenberg

The hemp is saturated with tar to resist water, and the wires are galvanized to prevent rust.

From Project Gutenberg

When thus kept, however, it is indispensable that the water should be fully saturated with salt.

From Project Gutenberg

It was saturated with rain water, which had no time to evaporate, and with sea water, which never dries.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• soaked
• soggy
• waterlogged