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

Recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that Americans should eat more beans, peas and lentils, cut back on red and processed meats and starchy vegetables and limit sugars, sodium and saturated fats. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Americans should strive to eat less meat and saturated fats, while upping their intake of fiber-rich legumes, fruits and vegetables, according to new recommendations issued Tuesday by a panel of nutrition experts. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

Consuming fewer foods high in saturated fat, like butter, may protect against heart disease. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 9 Dec. 2024

The first questions the validity of the research that established the harms of saturated fats. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 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