open enrollment
noun
1
a
chiefly US
: the voluntary enrollment of a student in a public school other than the one assigned on the basis of residence
Carnegie Vanguard High would continue to offer open enrollment to students from across the district and would still likely offer transportation to all its students.—
Shelby Webb
Shelby Webb
b
chiefly US
: enrollment on demand as a student in an institution of higher learning irrespective of formal qualifications
Open enrollment, long the hallmark of the community college, may soon be a thing of the past.—Rick Diguette
Rick Diguette2
chiefly US
: a period of time during which someone can join something (such as a health insurance plan) as a member or participant : a period of time during which a person can enroll in something
Just one in four people who buy their own insurance or who are uninsured could name the correct deadline (December 15) for open enrollment, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll taken last month.—Dylan Scott
Dylan ScottExamples of open enrollment in a Sentence
Many voters support open enrollment.
the city's open enrollment policy
Employees can sign up for new benefits during open enrollment.
Recent Examples on the Web
For the limited open enrollment period, which closed in March, 93 new students have been accepted.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
The bottom line As Medicare Advantage open enrollment closes, seniors have a final opportunity to adjust their coverage for 2026, but that opportunity comes with limits.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
About 23 million people signed up for ACA coverage during this year’s open enrollment period, which ended in January, according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
As open enrollment begins, Floridians should understand these rules aren’t just red tape.
—Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open enrollment
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Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
The bottom line As Medicare Advantage open enrollment closes, seniors have a final opportunity to adjust their coverage for 2026, but that opportunity comes with limits.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
About 23 million people signed up for ACA coverage during this year’s open enrollment period, which ended in January, according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
As open enrollment begins, Floridians should understand these rules aren’t just red tape.
—Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open enrollment
Cite this Entry
“Open enrollment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20enrollment. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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