desalinate

[ dee-sal-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·sal·i·nat·ed, de·sal·i·nat·ing.

1. desalt.

desalinate

/ diːˈsælɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. tr to remove the salt from (esp from sea water) Alsodesaltdiːˈsɔːlt

Other Words From

• de·sali·nation noun
• de·sali·nator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desalinate¹

First recorded in 1945–50; de- + saline + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

While pumping fresh water out of the ground and disinfecting it costs about $250 per acre-foot, desalinating brackish groundwater blows the price up by nearly three times, to about $700.

From MIT Technology Review

Jellyfish and mangrove roots are desalinating machines, converting saltwater into the usable fresh stuff as easily as taking a breath.

From Ozy