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

Twenty-five Fields Medalists have signed an open letter criticizing the growing push by AI companies to solve famous mathematical problems as demonstrations of model capability. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026

In July, nearly 1,400 AI company employees signed an open letter urging the US government to regulate the technology to rein in Big Tech and slow the pace of AI to ensure its safety. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

In their open letter defending Ruffalo, the progressive Jewish cohort argued the actor was right to draw links between Israel’s behavior and the merger. — Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

One of the former coach’s supporters, who described himself as a personal friend of Sandusky’s, spoke with a group of reporters after the hearing and handed out a copy of an open letter written to talk-show host Megyn Kelly. — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

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
• petter

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