salutation

[ sal-yuh-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of saluting. salute.
2. something uttered, written, or done by way of saluting. salute.
3. a word or phrase serving as the prefatory greeting in a letter or speech, as Dear Sir in a letter or Ladies and Gentlemen in a speech.

salutation

/ ˌsæljʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. an act, phrase, gesture, etc, that serves as a greeting
2. a form of words used as an opening to a speech or letter, such as Dear Sir or Ladies and Gentlemen
3. the act of saluting

Other Words From

• salu·tation·al adjective
• salu·tation·less adjective
• nonsal·u·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of salutation¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin salūtātiōn- (stem of salūtātiō ) greeting, equivalent to salūtāt ( us ) (past participle of salūtāre to greet; salute, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of salutation¹

C14: from Latin salūtātiō, from salūtāre to greet; see salute