out·doors
ˌau̇t-ˈdȯrz 
ˈau̇t-ˈdȯrz
: outside a building : in or into the open air
I went outdoors for some fresh air.
a game that is meant to be played outdoors
plural in form but singular in construction
1
: a place or location away from the confines of a building
Trees surround the home, blurring the lines between outdoors and indoors.—
Dawn Hammon
—usually used with theDawn Hammonlet in fresh air from the outdoors
2
: the natural world : the places outside of areas developed by humans
… those delighting in the wonders of outdoors.—Marina Brown
—usually used with theMarina Browna lover of the outdoors
… skiers in Maine can glory in the pleasures of the great outdoors—the ski areas are surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state.—Down East
Down East
: outdoor
… stands displaying equipment and clothing covering a wide spectrum of outdoors pursuits.—Clive Tully
Clive TullySynonyms
Examples of outdoors in a Sentence
Adverb
The game is meant to be played outdoors.
He worked outdoors all afternoon.
I went outdoors for some fresh air.
Recent Examples on the WebCharlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
From poolside to smaller bar spaces to a central restaurant, lunch, and dinner can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, allowing for some ambiance and food.
—Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024
But Take Note This can be a messy activity, so be sure to let your little explorer dig out their dinosaurs outdoors or over a big trash bag for easy cleanup.
—Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
Some guests sleep outdoors next to one of the vegetable plots and near the open kitchen, fitted with a wood-burning stove and shaded by recycled tarps and netting.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Since festivals are outdoors, bringing along the best SPF for your face and body is key, even if there's no sun in sight.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
The garden consists of five stackable pots made out of durable and weather resistant material, allowing this pick to be used indoors or outdoors.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
The inmates, who argued that the event carried religious significance in Christianity, Islam, Santería and atheism, will be allowed to watch the eclipse outdoors in the prison yard with safety glasses provided by the corrections department, said Madeline Byrd, another attorney for the inmates.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Inmates are typically allowed outdoors for recreation during the timeframe, according to the complaint, which says there was no lockdown during the last solar eclipse visible in the state in 2017.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Growing up in northern California, Rue Mapp grew up enjoying the great outdoors with her family.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024
Our guide has even more. Explore the great outdoors in Culver City
Advertisement
Just south of the 10 Freeway from Koreatown is Culver City, a.k.a.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2023
Make the most of the outdoors with camping, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the Salt River to cool down.
—Nina Kahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024
In a 2022 article about the discovery of a nest in Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel outdoors editor Paul A. Smith included rules and laws cited by officials who continue to support bald eagle population recovery.
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024
All the animals can access the outdoors from their living quarters.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 14 Feb. 2024
Outdoor Adventure Day Families will get a crash course in the outdoors when Cabela’s and the U.S. Sportsmen Alliance Foundation team to produce Family Outdoor Adventure Day on July 9.
—Brent Frazee, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
There will be seamless access to the outdoors from nearly every room.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Jan. 2024
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Since being the first The North Face Explore Fund council member and grantee, a group of leaders that are pushing inclusivity in the outdoors community, to collaborate on a collection, Escobar is most excited about the future of Hike Clerb.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
The trails that wind through the Boise Foothills are a huge boon for outdoors lovers who can quickly leave the urban landscape escape into the natural word.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
Her work focuses on the intersection of the outdoors, culture, and mental health, and has appeared in Outside, Lonely Planet, the Strategist, HuffPo, and elsewhere.
—Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 2 Apr. 2024
Crawford has embraced the outdoors like many others who’ve made Whistler their home.
—Carolyn Heller, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Then, retreat to Barnsley Resort, a paradise for outdoors enthusiasts with horseback riding, clay target shooting, archery, ax throwing, golf, disc golf, and more.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
Not into hiking, but still want a little outdoors excitement?
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024
Its 70,000 acres are a wonderland for outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Their trip destination was revealed in another photo, as Sterling stood outdoors at the Whitehouse City Park in Texas.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
From poolside to smaller bar spaces to a central restaurant, lunch, and dinner can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, allowing for some ambiance and food.
—Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024
But Take Note This can be a messy activity, so be sure to let your little explorer dig out their dinosaurs outdoors or over a big trash bag for easy cleanup.
—Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
Some guests sleep outdoors next to one of the vegetable plots and near the open kitchen, fitted with a wood-burning stove and shaded by recycled tarps and netting.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Since festivals are outdoors, bringing along the best SPF for your face and body is key, even if there's no sun in sight.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
The garden consists of five stackable pots made out of durable and weather resistant material, allowing this pick to be used indoors or outdoors.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
The inmates, who argued that the event carried religious significance in Christianity, Islam, Santería and atheism, will be allowed to watch the eclipse outdoors in the prison yard with safety glasses provided by the corrections department, said Madeline Byrd, another attorney for the inmates.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Inmates are typically allowed outdoors for recreation during the timeframe, according to the complaint, which says there was no lockdown during the last solar eclipse visible in the state in 2017.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
Explore the outdoors using hands-on tools, discover the fun of watercoloring in nature, learn about native bees and insects from UC Berkeley students, hear Ohlone leaders talk about their traditions, and follow your curiosity to become an environmental mystery detective.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Growing up in northern California, Rue Mapp grew up enjoying the great outdoors with her family.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024
Our guide has even more. Explore the great outdoors in Culver City
Advertisement
Just south of the 10 Freeway from Koreatown is Culver City, a.k.a.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2023
Make the most of the outdoors with camping, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the Salt River to cool down.
—Nina Kahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024
In a 2022 article about the discovery of a nest in Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel outdoors editor Paul A. Smith included rules and laws cited by officials who continue to support bald eagle population recovery.
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024
All the animals can access the outdoors from their living quarters.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 14 Feb. 2024
Outdoor Adventure Day Families will get a crash course in the outdoors when Cabela’s and the U.S. Sportsmen Alliance Foundation team to produce Family Outdoor Adventure Day on July 9.
—Brent Frazee, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
There will be seamless access to the outdoors from nearly every room.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Jordan Coleman, the defending City Section champion in the 100 meters, made his outdoors debut for Granada Hills on Thursday during a dual meet against El Camino Real.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Since being the first The North Face Explore Fund council member and grantee, a group of leaders that are pushing inclusivity in the outdoors community, to collaborate on a collection, Escobar is most excited about the future of Hike Clerb.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
The trails that wind through the Boise Foothills are a huge boon for outdoors lovers who can quickly leave the urban landscape escape into the natural word.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
Her work focuses on the intersection of the outdoors, culture, and mental health, and has appeared in Outside, Lonely Planet, the Strategist, HuffPo, and elsewhere.
—Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 2 Apr. 2024
Crawford has embraced the outdoors like many others who’ve made Whistler their home.
—Carolyn Heller, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Then, retreat to Barnsley Resort, a paradise for outdoors enthusiasts with horseback riding, clay target shooting, archery, ax throwing, golf, disc golf, and more.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2024
Not into hiking, but still want a little outdoors excitement?
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024
Its 70,000 acres are a wonderland for outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outdoors.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near outdoors
Cite this Entry
“Outdoors.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outdoors. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outdoors
1 of 2 adverb
out·doors
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈdō(ə)rz
-ˈdȯ(ə)rz
: outside a building : in or into the open air
outdoors
2 of 2 noun1
: a place away from or outside a building
2
: the world away from human dwellings
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