plein air

1 of 2

adjective

ˌplān-ˈer How to pronounce plein air (audio)
ple-ˈner
1
: of or relating to painting in outdoor daylight
2
: of or relating to a branch of impressionism that attempts to represent outdoor light and air
pleinairism noun
pleinairist noun

plein air

2 of 2

French adjective

: open-air : outdoor

Examples of plein air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The event’s Open Paint contest gives amateur artists a chance to paint alongside the juried artists during the plein air event and to compete for monetary prizes of up to $400 for the director’s choice award. Katie V. Jones, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021 Following its first stop in Shanghai, The Golden Ratio Musical Show will take place en plein air at the custom designed 1931 Cinema in Westfield Century City on Santa Monica Boulevard. Camryn Harris, Town & Country, 21 June 2023 Artists can participate in a plein air painting event. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 14 May 2023 The southeastern part of the United States has no shortage of sweeping landscapes, delicious food, and activities en plein air, and South Carolina, in particular, brings together mountaintop vistas, misty salt marshes, subtropical shorelines, and pimento cheese. Sucheta Rawal, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2023 Lots of creatures will likely join you during your meal en plein air, so this is a good opportunity to say hello and take note as some sing you songs, some attempt to take a nibble of your food… and others yet who may attempt to take a nibble of you! Lshell, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2018 Her plein air paintings — New York street scenes and vignettes — can be seen at Simie Maryles Gallery in Provincetown, where Rosenberg still spends a portion of the summer. Mark Shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Apr. 2023 The plein air ceremony, during which the bride wore Oscar de la Renta and the groom a custom navy tux, ended with the newlyweds jumping the broom, a practice that dates back to the mid-19th century and that was revitalized in the 1970s thanks to the novel Roots. Leena Kim, Town & Country, 31 Mar. 2023 Another facet of the Sonos project is meant to encourage listeners to go outside—with a handy, portable limited-edition Roam carry bag—and play the music en plein air, perhaps even immersed in nature, to make the experience even more special. Erica Gonzales, ELLE, 29 May 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plein air.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, open air

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plein air was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near plein air

Cite this Entry

“Plein air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plein%20air. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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