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
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Adjective
The 50-room property replaces screen time with llama trekking, whitewater rafting, wood burning, candle making and plein air painting. Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026 The city comptroller has launched an investigation into City Hall’s handing of outdoor dining permits, raising concerns about procedural holdups that could be preventing hundreds of restaurants from opening up en plein air seating this spring. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026 The hotel caters to families particularly well, with seven family suites, connecting rooms, and kid-friendly activities like a pizza-making class or a painting lesson in plein air. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2026 While there, visit the storied Hotel del Coronado for a bite and a tipple en plein air. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plein air

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

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Cite this Entry

“Plein air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plein%20air. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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