open letter

noun

: a published letter of protest or appeal usually addressed to an individual but intended for the general public

Examples of open letter in a Sentence

In an open letter to the company, a citizens' group implored company executives to reconsider their decision to close the factory.

Recent Examples on the Web

In an open letter posted on the company’s website, ByHeart also noted that formula companies are not required to test for the bacteria that causes infant botulism. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 18 Nov. 2025

In August, a coalition of human rights and freedom of expression organisations raised similar concerns in an open letter to Britain’s secretary of state for culture, media and sport. —Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

While their divorce is often attributed to Lennon's affair with Ono, the songwriter later insisted in an open letter to Cynthia that things between them were over before the affair. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Mavericks owner and governor Patrick Dumont wrote an open letter to fans explaining the decision and the path forward for the franchise. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for open letter

• carburetter
• carburettor
• abettor
• newsletter
• typesetter
• better
• bettor
• debtor
• fetter
• getter
• netter
• petar

Kids Definition

open letter

noun

: a letter (as one addressed to an official) for the public to see and printed in a newspaper or magazine