# brine

/ˈbɹaɪn/ (US) · /bɹˈaɪn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brine
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

very salty water used to keep food fresh or to add flavor. You often find it in jars of pickles or olives.

For teachers: a high-concentration solution of salt in water, used for food preservation, pickling, or industrial cooling.

## Examples

- The olives are stored in a jar of salty brine.
- The chef soaked the turkey in a seasoned brine overnight to ensure the meat stayed moist during roasting.
- Traditional preservation methods rely on the high osmotic pressure of brine to inhibit the growth of bacteria that would otherwise cause the food to spoil.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the liquid substance; countable when referring to specific types or batches of the solution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.