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salt

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈsɔɫt// UK //sˈɒlt// salt
  1. 1 food seasoning (n.)
    A1 Beginner Cooking

    a white substance from the sea or earth used to make food taste better.

    sodium chloride (NaCl) used as a food seasoning, preservative, or condiment. Uncountable in general use; countable when referring to specific varieties.

    Example

    Please pass the salt so I can season my chips.

    Example

    The chef recommended using a coarse sea salt to finish the dish, as the larger crystals provide a more distinct texture than fine table salt.
  2. 2 chemical compound (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a substance formed when an acid and a base react together.

    any of a class of compounds formed by the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms of an acid with a metal or another positive ion.

    Example

    In chemistry class, we learned how to produce a salt by mixing an acid with a base.

    Example

    The solubility of the resulting salt depends heavily on the temperature of the solvent and the specific ions involved in the reaction.
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  1. 3 experienced sailor (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Nautical

    an old or very experienced sailor.

    an experienced sailor, often used in the phrase 'old salt'.

    Example

    The old salt told us stories about his many years at sea.

    Example

    The harbor was full of old salts who had spent their entire lives navigating the treacherous currents of the northern coastline.
    • landlubber
  2. 4 internet bitterness (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Computing

    a feeling of being annoyed or upset, especially after losing a game.

    a state of being resentful, bitter, or angry, typically in the context of online gaming or social media arguments.

    Example

    There was a lot of salt in the chat after the team lost the match.

    Example

    The forum was filled with salt after the developers announced the controversial changes to the game's mechanics.
  3. 5 to add seasoning (v.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    to put salt on food to give it more flavor.

    to season or preserve food by adding salt. Transitive; requires a direct object.

    Example

    You should salt the water before you add the pasta.

    Example

    The recipe instructs you to salt the meat generously and let it sit for an hour before roasting to ensure the flavor penetrates deeply.
  4. 6 containing salt (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    tasting of salt or containing salt.

    containing, consisting of, or preserved with salt.

    Example

    The salt air at the beach always makes me feel refreshed.

    Example

    The expedition struggled to find fresh water, as most of the local springs were too salt for human consumption.
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