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

Located three hours from Uganda’s capital Entebbe, Jinja is the source of the Nile River and offers white water rafting and gorgeous sunset cruises. —Mariette Williams, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023

Kingfisher Journeys invites adventurers to explore Rwanda’s uncharted white water rivers for the first time—there are 30 intermediate-grade rivers in the country for pioneering descents—led by expert rafting guides. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023

Before his death, Sanders shared peeks into his teenage life off screen, including a white water rafting trip, a day at Coachella, skydiving and his fitness journey. —Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 29 Dec. 2022

Some of Baker’s favorite not-to-miss attractions include the hot air balloon rides over the park, the north-end swimming pool — this is free and open during summer — and white water rafting, which starts as early as April. —Kelsey Fowler, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2023

The Chattahoochee’s rapids are now used for white water rafting. —Noah Robertson, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2023

And in August of 1978 President Carter and his family took a white water rafting trip down Salmon River in Idaho. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 23 Feb. 2023

Visitors can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, white water rafting, kayaking and rock climbing all within the city limits. —Nina Derwin, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023

Flower: Wood violet The wood violet was chosen in 1908 when Wisconsin schoolchildren nominated four candidates: the wood violet, the wild rose, the trailing arbutus and the white water lily. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2023

See More

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)