saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 

1

: full of moisture : made thoroughly wet

a saturated sponge

2

a

of a solution : unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a solute at a given temperature and pressure

If more material is added to a saturated solution, no further dissolving will take place. The extra material will simply settle to the bottom of the solution.

—Merill C. Fellger

b

: having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

saturated fatty acids

see also saturated fat compare unsaturated sense b

3

of a color : having high saturation (see saturation sense 4) : pure

The early spring sky is a deep saturated blue next to the muddy brown of the dry, scrubby hills ….

—Sonia Shaw

Synonyms

• awash
• bathed
• bedraggled
• doused
• dowsed
• drenched
• dripping
• logged
• saturate
• soaked
• soaking
• sodden
• soggy
• sopping
• soppy
• soused
• washed
• water-soaked
• watered
• waterlogged
• watery
• wet

Examples of saturated in a Sentence

His shirt was saturated with sweat.

the area's already saturated freeways

Recent Examples on the Web

That is likely because people remember the soil was very saturated from rains in the days before. —Miles Bryan, Vox, 10 Oct. 2024

Although no flooding was caused by the initial storm, the ground became heavily saturated and bodies of water were running high. —Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024

Cannabis advocates in New Mexico are calling on lawmakers to tighten the rules for the regulated marijuana industry and unlicensed cannabis businesses, arguing that businesses are failing in a saturated market that faces competition from unregulated businesses. —A.j. Herrington, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Adding chia seeds will also increase the fiber content of your burger or meatloaf, which can improve the nutritional profile and help offset the negative health effects of saturated fat in those foods. 8. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing saturated

• saturated fat

Kids Definition

saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed

ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd

1

: full of moisture

2

a

: being a mixture that is unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a substance at a given temperature and pressure

b

: being a carbon compound having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms

saturated fats

Medical Definition

saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd 

1

of a solution : unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a solute at a given temperature and pressure

2

: having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

coconut oil is a saturated oil

see also saturated fat compare unsaturated sense b