desalinate

Desalinate (verb) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

IPA:

What does desalinate mean?

To remove salt and other minerals from water not suitable for human consumption.
"The coastal city built a desalination plant to provide clean drinking water."

Detailed Meaning of Desalinate

This process involves the use of technologies such as reverse osmosis, distillation or electrodialysis to separate the salt from the water, producing freshwater that is safe for drinking, irrigation or other purposes. Desalination is becoming an increasingly important method for meeting the growing demand for freshwater in areas where traditional sources of water are becoming scarce or polluted. While desalination is an effective method for producing freshwater, it can be expensive and energy-intensive, and there are concerns about its environmental impact and the disposal of the salt by-product.

Example Sentences for Desalinate

1. Coastal cities often desalinate seawater to provide freshwater for their residents.
2. The engineers are working on a new technology to desalinate water more efficiently.
3. We need to desalinate this water before it can be used for irrigation.
4. The plant uses solar power to desalinate water, reducing its carbon footprint.
5. Countries in the Middle East heavily rely on desalination plants to desalinate seawater for drinking.
6. The company claims that its new filters can desalinate water at a fraction of the current costs.

Origin and Etymology of Desalinate

The verb 'desalinate' has a clear etymology rooted in Latin and English. It is formed by combining the Latin prefix 'de-' meaning 'remove' or 'reverse' and the English word 'saline,' which refers to water that contains salt. Therefore, 'desalinate' literally means to remove or reverse the saline or salt content from water. This term reflects the process of desalination, which is crucial in making seawater or brackish water suitable for human consumption and various other purposes by removing the salts and minerals that render it unsuitable. The etymology of 'desalinate' highlights its role in addressing water scarcity and providing a vital source of freshwater in arid regions and coastal areas.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb desalinate:

pollute

contaminate

dirty

purify

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Desalinate

1. To combat water scarcity, arid regions should consider using renewable energy to desalinate water.
2. The government is planning to build a new facility that will desalinate water for agricultural use.
3. Scientists are researching ways to desalinate water without using as much energy.
4. The island nation had to desalinate seawater to ensure an adequate supply of freshwater for its population.
5. They are using an innovative reverse osmosis process to desalinate the brackish water.
6. The new project aims to desalinate water from the ocean and use it to create a sustainable agriculture system.
7. Developing countries need affordable technology to desalinate water for their growing populations.
8. The cruise ship is equipped with a system that can desalinate seawater for passengers’ consumption.
9. One of the challenges in space travel is finding ways to desalinate water efficiently in microgravity.
10. The university’s research department is developing a small-scale device that can desalinate water in remote areas.
11. As global freshwater sources become scarcer, the need to desalinate seawater increases.
12. This new material has the potential to revolutionize the way we desalinate water.
13. Non-profit organizations are helping communities in arid regions set up small systems to desalinate water.
14. Coastal communities often desalinate seawater to meet their freshwater needs.
15. The desalination plant provides clean drinking water to the arid region.
16. Engineers use advanced technology to desalinate brackish groundwater.
17. Desalinating water is an essential process in water-scarce regions.
18. Solar desalination methods offer sustainable freshwater solutions.
19. In desert areas, they rely on desalinated water for agriculture.
20. The island nation invested in desalination to combat water shortages.
21. Innovative desalination techniques are improving efficiency.
22. Scientists explore nature-inspired ways to desalinate water.
23. Desalinating ocean water requires substantial energy resources.
24. The desalinated water supply ensures the city's resilience to drought.