saturation

[ sach-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of saturating.
2. the state of being saturated. saturated.
3. Meteorology. a condition in the atmosphere corresponding to 100 percent relative humidity.
4. the degree of chroma or purity of a color; the degree of freedom from admixture with white.
5. Magnetism. the state of maximum magnetization of a ferromagnetic material.

saturation

/ ˌsætʃəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of saturating or the state of being saturated
2. chem the state of a chemical compound, solution, or vapour when it is saturated
3. meteorol the state of the atmosphere when it can hold no more water vapour at its particular temperature and pressure, the relative humidity then being 100 per cent
4. the attribute of a colour that enables an observer to judge its proportion of pure chromatic colour See also colour
5. physics the state of a ferromagnetic material in which it is fully magnetized. The magnetic domains are then all fully aligned
6. electronics the state of a valve or semiconductor device that is carrying the maximum current of which it is capable and is therefore unresponsive to further increases of input signal
7. the level beyond which demand for a product or service is not expected to increase

adjective

1. denoting the maximum possible intensity of coverage of an area

   saturation bombing

   a saturation release of a film

saturation

/ săch′ə-rā′shən /

1. The state of a physical system, such as a solution, containing as much of another substance, such as a solute, as is possible at a given temperature or pressure.
2. The vividness of a color's hue. Saturation measures the degree to which a color differs from a gray of the same darkness or lightness.
3. Compare hue
4. The state of being a saturated organic compound.
5. See more at saturated

Other Words From

• de·satu·ration noun
• nonsat·u·ration noun
• over·satu·ration noun
• subsat·u·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of saturation¹

1545–55; < Late Latin saturātiōn- (stem of saturātiō ) a filling, equivalent to saturāt ( us ) ( saturate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“The Israelis talk about precise target bombing, but the extent of destruction of these hospitals indicate that in fact it was saturation, almost carpet bombing,” Sidoti told Salon.

From Salon

This may seem like a silly question, but at a time of skyrocketing prices, market saturation, widening class disparity, climate change and international tumult, it left me wondering how those within the fashion industry relate to the concept of luxury on a personal level.

From Los Angeles Times

At this point, candidates should value message saturation over message control.

From Salon

In the age of streaming and the current saturation of the genre, he says he’s aware of how hard it is for new artists to distinguish themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

But while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the “saturation of gambling advertising” as “untenable”, he’s yet to commit to a course of action.

From BBC

Related Words

• congestion
• overload