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
plein air
2 of 2French adjective
: open-air : outdoor
Examples of plein air in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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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
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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
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.
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