polynya

noun po·lyn·ya \ ˌpä-lən-ˈyä \

Definition of polynya

plural polynyas also polynyi play \ˌpä-lən-ˈyē\

: an area of open water in sea ice

Recent Examples of polynya from the Web

This circulation pushes more warm water toward the surface, which keeps the polynya open.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "A Mysteriously Massive Hole in Antarctic Ice Has Returned," 12 Oct. 2017
The polynya in question opened on September 9 in a relatively shallow area of water in the Weddell Sea.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "A Mysteriously Massive Hole in Antarctic Ice Has Returned," 12 Oct. 2017
In September, one of these floats surfaced inside the polynya, providing unique data on its existence.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Huge, 'mysterious' hole appears in sea ice near Antarctica," 13 Oct. 2017
Important but poorly understood features of the polar landscape are areas of open water surrounded by sea ice called polynyas.

— alexis madrigal, WIRED, "Video: Scientific Drones Take Flight at Earth’s Icy Poles," 16 Dec. 2009

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polynya.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of polynya

Russian polyn'ya

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First Known Use: 1852

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