A salutation is a greeting, especially the words you use to address someone at the beginning of a letter or email. When you write “Dear Mr. Johnson” or “Hello Sarah,” that's your salutation. It's how you politely acknowledge the person you're writing to before you get into what you actually want to say.

Salutations are small gestures of respect and friendliness that acknowledge the other person. Different situations call for different salutations. You might write “Dear” for formal letters, “Hi” for friendly emails, or “To whom it may concern” when you don't know the recipient's name.

People also use salutation to describe greetings in person. When you wave to a neighbor or shake hands with someone new, you're offering a salutation. In some formal settings, like military ceremonies, salutations follow specific rules. A salute is a type of salutation that shows respect through a precise gesture.

The right salutation sets the tone for everything that follows. A warm salutation can make someone feel welcomed, while a cold or careless one might start things off awkwardly. Even though it's just a few words, your salutation matters because it's often the first impression you make.