salt

salt

1 [uncountable] a natural white mineral that is added to food to make it taste better or to preserve it:

This might need some salt and pepper.

a pinch of salt (=a very small amount)

Could you pass the salt?

2

 the salt of the earth

someone who is ordinary but good and honest

3

 take something with a pinch/grain of salt

informal to not completely believe what someone tells you, because you know that they do not always tell the truth:

Most of what he says should be taken with a pinch of salt.

4 [countable] technical a type of chemical substance that is formed when an acid is combined with a base

➔ Epsom salts, smelling salts, old salt

 ; ➔ rub salt into somebody's wounds

 at rub1 (7)

 ; ➔ worth his/her salt

 atworth1 (10)

Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.