saturate

[ verb sach-uh-reyt; adjective noun sach-er-it, -uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, sat·u·rat·ed, sat·u·rat·ing.

1. to cause (a substance) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance, through solution, chemical combination, or the like.
2. to charge to the utmost, as with magnetism.
3. to soak, impregnate, or imbue thoroughly or completely:

   to saturate a sponge with water; a town saturated with charm.

4. to destroy (a target) completely with bombs and missiles.
5. to send so many planes over (a target area) that the defensive electronic tracking equipment becomes ineffective.
6. to furnish (a market) with goods to its full purchasing capacity.

verb (used without object)

, sat·u·rat·ed, sat·u·rat·ing.

1. to become saturated.

adjective

1. saturated.

noun

1. a saturated fat or fatty acid.

saturate

verb

1. to fill, soak, or imbue totally
2. to make (a chemical compound, vapour, solution, magnetic material, etc) saturated or (of a compound, vapour, etc) to become saturated
3. tr military to bomb or shell heavily

adjective

1. a less common word for saturated

Derived Forms

• ˌsatuˈrater, noun

Other Words From

• de·satu·rate verb (used with object) desaturated desaturating
• over·satu·rate verb (used with object) oversaturated oversaturating

Word History and Origins

Origin of saturate¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin saturātus (past participle of saturāre “to fill”), equivalent to satur- “full, well-fed” ( sad ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of saturate¹

C16: from Latin saturāre, from satur sated, from satis enough

Synonym Study

See wet.

Example Sentences

But small-time producers already situated within a country’s borders can saturate the market.

From Salon

The media blitz by the two presidential candidates has been strategic as they look to saturate feeds with their platforms and messages in an attempt to sway and turn out voters.

From Los Angeles Times

Mouthfuls of blood saturate the language of authoritarianism, and policies of destruction, exploitation, and utter despair follow.

From Salon

At Snow Valley in Running Springs, which was closest to the fire’s front line, workers were using snowmaking guns to saturate the grounds in an attempt to keep embers from taking hold, Kanton said.

From Los Angeles Times

You’re supposed to let it sit on your face so it can saturate, and you’ll wake up with a beautiful glow.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• douse
• imbue
• immerse
• impregnate
• infuse
• penetrate
• permeate
• pervade
• soak
• steep
• suffuse
• wash