What term refers to the greeting in a letter?

The term that refers to the greeting in a letter is "salutation." In the context of letter writing, the salutation serves as the formal greeting to the recipient. It sets the tone for the communication and establishes a respectful connection between the sender and the receiver. Common examples of salutations include "Dear [Name]," and "Hello [Name]."

When writing a letter, the salutation is typically positioned at the beginning, following the sender's address and the date. It is an essential component of the letter structure, as it indicates to whom the letter is addressed and can reflect the nature of the relationship between the sender and the recipient.

Other elements of a letter, such as the body, the closing, and the signature, serve different purposes. The body contains the main content of the letter, while the closing provides a way to end the letter, and the signature identifies the sender. Each part has its own role, but the salutation specifically functions to greet and acknowledge the recipient directly.