saturation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The condition of being completely filled with something, often to the point that no more can be absorbed or added.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: 'the saturation of the market'.

   Patterns

   • saturation of something
   • reach saturation
   • market saturation

   The saturation of the market with cheap imports drove prices down.

   After weeks of rain, the saturation of the soil caused flooding.

   The city has reached saturation point in terms of traffic.

2. 2noununcountable

   The degree to which a color is pure and intense, as opposed to pale or grayish.

   Grammar: Often used in photography, design, and art contexts.

   Patterns

   • high saturation
   • low saturation
   • increase the saturation

   The photograph had high saturation, making the flowers look vivid.

   You can adjust the saturation of the image in the editing software.

   The artist used low saturation to create a calm, muted effect.

3. 3noununcountabletechnical

   The state in which a substance has absorbed as much of another substance as possible, as in a chemical solution.

   Grammar: Technical term in chemistry and physics.

   Patterns

   • saturation point
   • reach saturation

   At saturation, no more sugar will dissolve in the water.

   The solution was heated to the point of saturation.

   Chemists measure the saturation of a compound to understand its properties.

Common combinations

market saturation

Market saturation means most potential customers already own the product.

saturation point

The demand for electric cars may soon reach saturation point.

color saturation

The color saturation in that painting is stunning.

media saturation

Media saturation of the scandal made it impossible to ignore.

Synonyms and how they differ

fullness

Fullness suggests being complete or filled, but it doesn't imply the same degree of soaking or absorption as saturation.

intensity

Intensity is a more general word for strength; saturation specifically refers to color purity or complete filling.

Opposites

Word family

saturate verb

To make something completely wet or full.

saturated adjective

Completely soaked or filled; also used for fats.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “saturation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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