open water
noun
plural open waters
: water that is clear of obstacles to passage or view : water that is open (see open entry 1 sense 7a)
The word marsh conjures up a mental picture of a soggy, flat area filled with cattails and other herbaceous vegetation, with ducks sitting on patches of open water.—
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
often, specifically
: water that is free of ice
When the river froze in the fall, a mile of open water had been left between two mighty jams. —Jack London
Jack London Polynyas were areas of persistent open water, found throughout the circumpolar arctic, places kept ice-free by currents and wind patterns. —David R. Masiel
David R. Masiel Because the penguins feed in the ocean, they typically set up colonies near open water and must establish new nests when the coastline becomes covered in … ice. —Science News
Science News Examples of open water in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The design separates the panels with open water corridors at least 13 feet (four meters) wide.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Its focus is on teaching underprivileged school children in Cape Town about the ocean, including how to swim in the open water and help protect marine life.
—Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Ready to get out on the open water?
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
Chicago River Swim raises money for ALS research The race was organized by A Long Swim, which raises money for ALS research by staging open water swims throughout the United States.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open water
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Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
Its focus is on teaching underprivileged school children in Cape Town about the ocean, including how to swim in the open water and help protect marine life.
—Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Ready to get out on the open water?
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
Chicago River Swim raises money for ALS research The race was organized by A Long Swim, which raises money for ALS research by staging open water swims throughout the United States.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open water
Cite this Entry
“Open water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20water. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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