open up

verb

opened up; opening up; opens up

Definition of open up

transitive verb

1 : to make available or possible The discovery opens up the possibility of new cures.

2 : to make plain or visible : disclose

3 : to open by cutting into

intransitive verb

1 : to become available or possible The hostess will let us know when a table opens up.

2 : to spread out or come into view The road opens up ahead.

3 : to commence firing

4 : to become communicative tried to get the patient to open up

Examples of open up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Currently, state residents over the age of 50 are eligible for the vaccine, but availability will open up to anyone over 16 years old beginning on April 15, according to the state website. — Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, "California aims to reopen economy fully by June 15," 6 Apr. 2021 As the economy opens up, opportunities will open up as well. — Chris Westfall, Forbes, "Survey Shows Massive Post-Pandemic Shift In Store For Workers," 6 Apr. 2021 On Monday, Tennessee will open up vaccine eligibility to all state residents over age 16. — David Williams, CNN, "Dolly Parton got her second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine," 3 Apr. 2021 For instance, eligibility for vaccinations will open up to those over the age of 16 in New York state in less than a week. — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "Staying safe on Easter during a pandemic," 2 Apr. 2021 As supply increases, new appointments will open up. — Los Angeles Times, "So you’re eligible for the vaccine. Here’s how to get one," 1 Apr. 2021 Appointments for the Gary site will open up at the end of the week and it is expected to vaccinate about 2,000 people per day, according to Box. — Rashika Jaipuriar, The Indianapolis Star, "What we learned from the governor's coronavirus news conference this week," 31 Mar. 2021 Starting May 1, Delta will open up all seats to passengers, a full year after the airline started blocking the middle seat to give travelers more room to socially distance. — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, "Delta to Stop Blocking Middle Seats Starting May 1," 31 Mar. 2021 Countries would open up for travel at a moment’s notice — during which Grylls swooped in with nervous celebrities — but then suddenly close their borders, forcing the crew to move elsewhere. — Kathryn Shattuck, New York Times, "Bear Grylls Wants to Climb Every Mountain, but His Soundtrack Is Abba," 30 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'open up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

9 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Open up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20up. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.

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