Salutation vs. Greeting

A greeting, salute, or address; a hello.

The act of greeting.

(obsolete) Quickening; excitement.

The act of saluting, or paying respect or reverence, by the customary words or actions; the act of greeting, or expressing good will or courtesy; also, that which is uttered or done in saluting or greeting.

Example: ‘In all public meetings or private addresses, use those forms of salutation, reverence, and decency usual amongst the most sober persons.’; ‘Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.’; ‘When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.’; ‘I shall not trouble my reader with the first salutes of our three friends.’;

an act of honor or courteous recognition;

Example: ‘a musical salute to the composer on his birthday’;

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

word of greeting used to begin a letter

A salutation is a greeting used in a letter or other written or non-written communication. Salutations can be formal or informal.

A conventional phrase used to start a letter or conversation or otherwise to acknowledge a person's arrival or presence.

Example: ‘It's polite to begin a letter with a greeting, but this practice is less common in email.’;

(uncountable) The action of the verb to greet.

Expression of kindness or joy; salutation at meeting; a compliment from one absent.

Example: ‘Write to him . . . gentle adieus and greetings.’;

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship (usually cordial) or social status (formal or informal) between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other. Greetings are sometimes used just prior to a conversation or to greet in passing, such as on a sidewalk or trail.