meltwater

noun

melt·​wa·​ter ˈmelt-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: water derived from the melting of ice and snow

Examples of meltwater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent years, the volume of glacial meltwater released downstream has strongly increased, the report said, adding that 2026 was third highest for meltwater. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

It is thought the disaster happened when a glacial collapse in the Himalayas sent rock, ice and meltwater into valleys below, triggering powerful floods downstream. — Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

The meltwater pouring off Bråsvellbreen like waterfalls, though breathtakingly beautiful, was another sobering reminder of the consequences of global warming. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Rescue efforts were still ramping up Friday when a swollen glacial lake in the mountains upstream from the affected area, dammed up by debris and filling with meltwater, raised concerns of a possible new inundation looming. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meltwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater

Kids Definition

meltwater

noun

melt·​wa·​ter ˈmelt-ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: water that comes from the melting of ice and snow