salt

/sɔlt/
noun
  1. A white crystalline substance used to flavor and preserve food, made from sodium chloride.
    • Please pass the salt for my eggs.
    • Salt is mined from underground deposits or evaporated from seawater.
    • The recipe calls for a teaspoon of salt.
  2. Any chemical compound formed by the reaction of an acid with a base, where hydrogen atoms are replaced by metal ions.
    • Table salt is a common example of a salt in chemistry.
    • Epsom salt is a magnesium sulfate salt used in baths.
    • The chemist studied the properties of various salts.
  3. An experienced sailor, especially one who has served on a ship for many years.
    • He was a true salt who had sailed around the world.
    • The young crew learned knots from the seasoned salt.
    • The old salt told stories of storms at sea.
Antonyms
verb
  1. To add salt to food for flavor or preservation.
    • I always salt my french fries lightly.
    • Don't forget to salt the pasta water before boiling.
    • She salted the meat to keep it from spoiling.
  2. To spread salt on a road or path to melt ice or snow.
    • The city crew salted the highways before the storm.
    • He salted the driveway to prevent slipping.
    • They salted the sidewalks early in the morning.
adjective
  1. Containing or tasting of salt; salty.
    • The salt air from the ocean felt refreshing.
    • This cracker is too salt for my taste.
    • Salt water is not safe to drink.