open
verb
1
a
: to move (something, such as a door) from a closed position
b
: to make available for entry or passage by turning back (something, such as a barrier) or removing (something, such as a cover or an obstruction)
2
a
: to make available for or active in a regular function
open a new store
b
: to make accessible for a particular purpose
opened new land for settlement
c
: to initiate access to (a computer file) prior to use
3
4
a
: to make an opening in
opened the boil
b
: to loosen and make less compact
open the soil
5
: to spread out : unfold
opened the book
6
a
: to enter upon : begin
opened the meeting
b
: to commence action in a card game by making (a first bid), putting a first bet in (the pot), or playing (a card or suit) as first lead
7
: to restore or recall (something, such as an order) from a finally determined state to a state in which the parties are free to prosecute or oppose
1
: to become open
the office opened early
2
a
: to spread out : expand
the wound opened under the strain
b
: to become disclosed
a beautiful vista opened before us
3
: to become enlightened or responsive
4
: to give access
the rooms open onto a hall
5
: speak out sense 2
finally he opened freely on the subject
6
a
: to begin a course or activity
b
: to make a bet, bid, or lead in commencing a round or hand of a card game
7
: to provide the opening performance of a show before the main event
Examples of open in a Sentence
This door is hard to open.
“Open the door!” shouted the police officer.
Would you mind if I opened a window?
The car door opened and a beautiful woman stepped out.
The door opened and closed so quietly that I didn't notice he had come in the room.
This drawer is stuck. It just won't open!
She comes home, turns on the TV, and starts opening her mail.
She opened her eyes and smiled at me.
I opened my umbrella and stepped out into the rain.
“Open your mouth wide for me,” said the dentist.
Recent Examples on the Web
Asia markets, however, opened lower Thursday as Mideast worries keep investors on edge.
—
Dylan Butts, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Brunson didn’t have a good start to this game, knocking down his opening three-pointer to begin the game and going 0-of-6 from there in the first quarter.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
The host will even walk you as close to the bathroom as possible, without actually descending the stairs and opening the door for you.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
That facility is set to open next year.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Dylan Butts, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Brunson didn’t have a good start to this game, knocking down his opening three-pointer to begin the game and going 0-of-6 from there in the first quarter.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
The host will even walk you as close to the bathroom as possible, without actually descending the stairs and opening the door for you.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
That facility is set to open next year.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for open
Cite this Entry
“Open.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
open
1 of 3 adjective
ˈō-pən 
ˈōp-ᵊm
1
: allowing passage : not shut or blocked
an open door
open books
open pores
2
: not enclosed or covered
an open boat
an open fire
open wounds
3
a
: not secret : public
open dislike
b
: liable sense 2
open to challenge
4
a
: free to be used, entered, or taken part in by all
an open meeting
an open golf tournament
b
: easy to enter, get through, or see
open country
5
: not drawn together : spread out
an open flower
an open umbrella
6
a
: available for use : free
keep an hour open tomorrow
the only option open to us
b
: not decided or settled
an open question
c
: waiting to be filled
the job is still open
d
: available for purchase all or most of the time
these items are in open stock
7
: ready to consider appeals or ideas
an open mind
open to suggestion
8
: not allowing the flow of electricity : being an incomplete electrical circuit
an open switch
open
2 of 3 verb
opened
ˈō-pənd
ˈōp-ᵊmd
; opening
ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ
1
a
: to change or move from a shut or closed condition
open a book
the door opened
b
: to clear by or as if by removing something in the way
open a road blocked with snow
the clouds opened
c
: to make an opening in
open a boil
2
a
: to make or become ready for use
open a new store
b
: to make available for a certain purpose
open land for settlement
opened Japan to foreign trade
the office opens at eight
c
: to access for use
open the computer file
3
: to have an opening
the rooms open onto a hall
4
: begin sense 1, start
opened fire
open talks
open
3 of 3 noun1
: open space
2
: a contest or tournament that is open
3
: a state or position that is public or is not concealed
Medical Definition
open
1 of 2 adjective1
a(1)
: having the skin cracked, cut, or broken so that underlying tissue is exposed
abrasions, lacerations, and other open wounds
see also open fracture
(2)
of a head injury
: marked by fracture or penetration of the skull
b
: not involving or encouraging a covering (as by bandages or overgrowth of tissue) or enclosure
open treatment of burns
c
: being an operation or surgical procedure in which an incision is made such that the tissues and organs are fully exposed compare open-heart
2
: shedding the infectious agent to the exterior
open tuberculosis
compare closed sense 3
3
a
: unobstructed by congestion or occlusion
open sinuses
b
: not constipated
open bowels
4
: using a minimum of physical restrictions and custodial restraints on the freedom of movement of the patients or inmates
an open psychiatric ward
open
2 of 2 verb
opened; opening
1
a
: to make available for entry or passage by removing (as a cover) or clearing away (as an obstruction)
b
: to free (a body passage) of congestion or occlusion
an inhalator for opening congested nasal passages
open clogged arteries
2
: to make one or more openings in
opened the boil
: to spread out
the wound opened
Legal Definition
open
1 of 2 adjective1
: exposed to general view or knowledge : free from concealment
an open, notorious, continuous, and adverse use of the property
an open and obvious danger
Note: When a defect, hazard, or condition is open such that a reasonable person under the circumstances should have recognized the danger posed by it, a defendant is usually relieved of liability for failure to warn.
2
: not restricted to a particular group or category of participants
specifically
: enterable by a registered voter regardless of political affiliation
an open primary
3
a
: being in effect or operation
an open mine
a bench warrant still open
b
: available for use
an open toll road
c
: not finally determined, decided, or settled : subject to further consideration
an open question
d
: remaining effective or available for use until canceled
an open insurance contract
4
: not repressed or regulated by legal controls
a state with open gambling
open
2 of 2 verb
opened; opening
1
: to begin the process of
open the succession
2
a
: to make the statement by which the trial of (a case) is begun and put before the court
b
: to be the first to speak in summing up or arguing (a case)
3
: to restore or recall (as an order, rule, or judgment) from a finally determined state to a state in which the parties are free to prosecute or oppose by further proceedings
1
: to begin action : commence on some course or activity
the stock opened at par
2
: to begin the trial of a case
defendant…has the option of presenting an opening statement immediately after plaintiff opens—J. H. Friedenthal et al.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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