noun
Uncommon
brine
BRYN
Brine (noun) means Water that has a lot of salt dissolved in it, used for pickling or preserving food. Example: “The cucumbers sat in brine for a week before they became pickles.”
noun
1
Water that has a lot of salt dissolved in it, used for pickling or preserving food.
"The cucumbers sat in brine for a week before they became pickles."
"She soaked the turkey in a brine overnight before roasting it."
verb
1
To soak food in a strong salt solution, either to preserve it or to add flavor and moisture before cooking.
"Brine the chicken for a few hours for a juicier roast."
"Fishermen used to brine their catch to keep it from spoiling."
How to use brine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery salty water used to preserve or flavor food, and the verb for soaking food in it.
Common pairings
soak in brine
brine solution
brine the meat
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Word forms
- Plural
- brines
- Third person singular
- brines
- Past tense
- brined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cucumbers sat in _____ for a week before they became pickles.
Etymology
From Old English brine, meaning salt water — the root is ancient and shared with several other Germanic languages, all pointing back to the same "salty liquid" idea.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brine
See all rhymes for brine →Frequently asked questions
What does “brine” mean?
The word “brine” means water that has a lot of salt dissolved in it, used for pickling or preserving food. In plain terms, very salty water used to preserve or flavor food, and the verb for soaking food in it.
How do you pronounce “brine”?
“Brine” is pronounced BRYN (/ˈbɹaɪ̯n/ in IPA).
How do you use “brine” in a sentence?
Here is “brine” used in a sentence: “The cucumbers sat in brine for a week before they became pickles.”
What is the opposite of “brine”?
The opposite of “brine” — its antonyms — are debrine and desalinate.
What part of speech is “brine”?
Depending on how it is used, “brine” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “brine” come from?
The word “brine” comes from Old English. From Old English brine, meaning salt water — the root is ancient and shared with several other Germanic languages, all pointing back to the same "salty liquid" idea.
Is “brine” a common word?
“Brine” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “brine” have?
“Brine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: water that has a lot of salt dissolved in it, used for pickling or preserving food.
