saturation
noun
sat·u·ra·tion
ˌsa-chə-ˈrā-shən 
1
a
: the act of saturating : the state of being saturated
2
: conversion of an unsaturated to a saturated chemical compound (as by hydrogenation)
3
: a state of maximum impregnation: such as
a
: complete infiltration : permeation
b
: the presence in air of the most water possible under existent pressure and temperature
c
: magnetization to the point beyond which a further increase in the intensity of the magnetizing force will produce no further magnetization
4
a
: chromatic purity : freedom from dilution with white
b(1)
: degree of difference from the gray having the same lightness
—used of an object color
(2)
: degree of difference from the achromatic light-source color of the same brightness
—used of a light-source color
compare hue sense 2c
5
: the supplying of a market with as much of a product as it will absorb
6
: an overwhelming concentration of military forces or firepower
Examples of saturation in a Sentence
Heavy rains resulted in the saturation of the soil.
the saturation of advertising on television
Recent Examples on the Web
The camera delivered detailed 4K video with rich color during the day, while nighttime video showed better-than-average color saturation.
—
PCMAG, 15 Jan. 2025
Earth tones vary in saturation from pale hues like beige and clay to bold shades like deep, chocolatey browns.
—Cyndy Aldred, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
These devices continuously track health metrics like heart rate, blood glucose levels and oxygen saturation, providing patients and providers with real-time data.
—Rahul Saluja, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The research also showed that all of the people who vaped – with or without nicotine - had decreased oxygen saturation, meaning their lungs were probably taking in less oxygen.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for saturation 
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PCMAG, 15 Jan. 2025
Earth tones vary in saturation from pale hues like beige and clay to bold shades like deep, chocolatey browns.
—Cyndy Aldred, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
These devices continuously track health metrics like heart rate, blood glucose levels and oxygen saturation, providing patients and providers with real-time data.
—Rahul Saluja, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The research also showed that all of the people who vaped – with or without nicotine - had decreased oxygen saturation, meaning their lungs were probably taking in less oxygen.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for saturation
Dictionary Entries Near saturation
Cite this Entry
“Saturation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saturation. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
saturation
noun
sat·u·ra·tion
ˌsach-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act or process of saturating
2
: the state of being saturated
Medical Definition
saturation
noun
sat·u·ra·tion
ˌsach-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act of saturating : the state of being saturated
2
: conversion of an unsaturated to a saturated chemical compound (as by hydrogenation)
3
: a state of maximum impregnation
especially
: the presence in air of the most water possible under existent pressure and temperature
4
a
: the one of the three psychological dimensions of color perception that is related to the purity of the color and that decreases as the amount of white present in the stimulus increases
called also intensity
compare brightness, hue
b(1)
: degree of difference from the gray having the same lightness
—used of an object color
(2)
: degree of difference from the achromatic light-source color of the same brightness
—used of a light-source color
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