polynya
noun
po·lyn·ya
ˌpä-lən-ˈyä 
plural polynyas also polynyi
ˌpä-lən-ˈyē
: an area of open water in sea ice
Examples of polynya in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Understanding the factors that contribute to their creation—especially of an anomalous open-ocean polynya like the large Weddell polynya—can then lead to more accurate predictions of their behavior in a warming climate, the study says.
—
Ainslie Cruickshank, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Mar. 2021
Since breaking off, both icebergs have moved into an area called a polynya or polynia, where an expanse of open water is surrounded by sea-ice.
—Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2010
It was discovered about a decade ago that this meltwater was providing iron-rich water to the polynya.
—Allison Chinchar, CNN, 7 May 2022
Researchers at the University of Toronto-Mississauga found the polynya formed on May 14, 2020.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 15 May 2020
The Weddell polynya, however, formed much farther from shore.
—Ainslie Cruickshank, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Mar. 2021
The team found that, in order for a polynya to occur, there need to be a perfect storm of factors, so to speak.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 11 June 2019
Records show that the 2016 polynya originally formed at the same time a storm swept through the region.
—Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, 11 June 2019
For instance, the deep water that upwells to the surface at a polynya can sometimes contain rich stores of carbon that have been sitting at the bottom of the ocean for hundreds or even thousands of years.
—Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, 11 June 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ainslie Cruickshank, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Mar. 2021
Since breaking off, both icebergs have moved into an area called a polynya or polynia, where an expanse of open water is surrounded by sea-ice.
—Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2010
It was discovered about a decade ago that this meltwater was providing iron-rich water to the polynya.
—Allison Chinchar, CNN, 7 May 2022
Researchers at the University of Toronto-Mississauga found the polynya formed on May 14, 2020.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 15 May 2020
The Weddell polynya, however, formed much farther from shore.
—Ainslie Cruickshank, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Mar. 2021
The team found that, in order for a polynya to occur, there need to be a perfect storm of factors, so to speak.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 11 June 2019
Records show that the 2016 polynya originally formed at the same time a storm swept through the region.
—Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, 11 June 2019
For instance, the deep water that upwells to the surface at a polynya can sometimes contain rich stores of carbon that have been sitting at the bottom of the ocean for hundreds or even thousands of years.
—Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, 11 June 2019
Cite this Entry
“Polynya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polynya. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share