desalinate

[ dee-sal-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

desalinated, desalinating.

1. desalt.

desalinate

/ diːˈsælɪˌneɪt /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• 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

They say it’s not really desalinating seawater in the traditional sense, but rather harvesting fresh water from devices that function like wells in the ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

While desalination facilities are abundant in countries like Israel, Australia, and Saudi Arabia where water scarcity is acute, the energy required to desalinate water at scale presents a significant environmental hurdle.

From Science Daily

Polhemus said the costs for purifying wastewater will probably be about half the costs of desalinating ocean water.

From Los Angeles Times

India is among many countries that have built huge plants to desalinate sea water.

From Seattle Times

The south Asian nation, now the most populous in the world, is among many countries that have built huge plants to desalinate sea water.

From Seattle Times