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

Conflicting arguments The ​current head of Autostrade issued ​an open letter on ⁠Wednesday, restating the company’s commitment to ensure that such a tragedy is not repeated. — CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Under British rule, mail wasn’t private; postmasters could open letters to spy on colonists. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 July 2026

The writer-director wrote in his open letter that his brother experienced a manic episode in 2017 that eventually led to his death by suicide. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

More than 3,000 professors signed open letters calling for the SAT or ACT to return. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 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