Definition & Meaning of "salt"

Salt

NOUN

a natural, white substance, obtained from mines and also found in seawater that is added to the food to make it taste better or to preserve it

What is "salt"?

Salt is a mineral compound composed of sodium and chlorine ions. It is one of the most commonly used seasonings and food preservatives worldwide. Salt is essential for human health, playing a crucial role in regulating fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. In food preparation, salt is used to enhance flavor, balance sweetness, and inhibit the growth of microorganisms, thereby acting as a natural preservative. It is utilized in a wide variety of culinary applications, including cooking, baking, pickling, and curing. While salt is essential in moderate amounts, excessive consumption can contribute to health issues such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

the taste experience when common salt is taken into the mouth

negotiations between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics opened in 1969 in Helsinki designed to limit both countries' stock of nuclear weapons

to salt

VERB

to add salt to food or another substance in order to enhance its flavor