white water

noun

variants or whitewater

ˈ(h)wīt-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: turbulent, frothy water (as in breakers, rapids, or falls)

… it's New England's toughest stretch of … white water, a maze of boulders and narrow channels.

—Michael D. Burke

… he chased whitewater in some of North America's most remote corners …

—Mark Bechtel

When seized by white water, the idea is to swim for the bottom (if you can tell which way that is), pray to stay relaxed and conserve your air …

—Kenny Moore

white water rafting

a whitewater outfitter

white-water paddlers

Examples of white water in a Sentence

The canoe got caught in white water.

Recent Examples on the Web

The product features their signature Botanical Blend of lotus, gardenia, and white water lily to nourish and soothe the skin, alongside vitamin E to moisturize, soften, and protect your fave against free radicals. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2024

Mineral Bar campground is an ideal entry point for swimming, while the Colfax-Iowa Hill bridge is a popular spot for white water rafting over the summer. —Irenie Forshaw, The Week Uk, theweek, 30 July 2024

According to the Wisconsin Blue Book, school children in 1908 nominated four candidates for the state flower: the wood violet, wild rose, trailing arbutus and white water lily. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 24 June 2024

Just in time for summer vacation planning, USA TODAY published several rankings of best adventure tours across the country, including categories like best bike tour, best helicopter tour, best white water rafting tour and best hot air balloon ride. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

white water

noun

: rough foamy water (as in rapids or waterfalls)