bath salts

plural noun

1

: a usually colored crystalline compound for perfuming and softening bathwater

2

: any of various synthetic illicit drugs with stimulant and sometimes hallucinogenic properties that are used (as by being injected or snorted) typically in the form of a white or brown crystalline powder

Examples of bath salts in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are candles and bath salts ready to go on the floor. —Jj Geiger, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024

These calming bath salts, a blend of Himalayan pink salt crystals, floral ylang-ylang, and natural vanilla, create an aromatherapy effect that soothes both body and mind. —Talia Abbas, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2024

The other essential thing for me is the bath salts from Mistral that smell like verbena. —Caroline Reilly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2024

All rooms have updated marble bathrooms with separate tubs, walk-in showers, a separate water closet — always a nice touch — and bespoke soaps, creams, and bath salts. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

bath salts

noun plural

1

: a usually colored crystalline compound for perfuming and softening bathwater

2

: any of various synthetic, illicit, stimulant drugs that contain derivatives of cathinone (such as MDPV) and are typically sold as white or brown crystalline powders

Los Angeles County health officials warned Tuesday against the use of bath salts—the designer drug involved in a series of bizarre incidents and arrests—just one week after a new study charted a skyrocketing number of calls to U.S. poison control centers about the drug.

—Wesley Lowery, The Los Angeles Times

—sometimes singular

Although the man was later proven to not be under the influence of bath salt, the incident nonetheless brought the drug national attention.

—Lauren McGaughy, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana)