open water
noun
plural open waters
: water that is clear of obstacles to passage or view : water that is open (see open entry 1 sense 7a)
The word marsh conjures up a mental picture of a soggy, flat area filled with cattails and other herbaceous vegetation, with ducks sitting on patches of open water.—
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
often, specifically
: water that is free of ice
When the river froze in the fall, a mile of open water had been left between two mighty jams. —Jack London
Jack London Polynyas were areas of persistent open water, found throughout the circumpolar arctic, places kept ice-free by currents and wind patterns. —David R. Masiel
David R. Masiel Because the penguins feed in the ocean, they typically set up colonies near open water and must establish new nests when the coastline becomes covered in … ice. —Science News
Science News Examples of open water in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the Atlantic and is forecast to remain over open waters for several days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Automobili Lamborghini Three Seabob for Automobili Lamborghini by Cayago riders on open water.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The couple spent 118 days — nearly four months — on their raft and dingy in the open water before they were rescued by chance by a passing Korean vessel.
—Susan Young, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
The property encompasses 64,700 acres, and most of it is open water and small islands.
—Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open water
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Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Automobili Lamborghini Three Seabob for Automobili Lamborghini by Cayago riders on open water.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The couple spent 118 days — nearly four months — on their raft and dingy in the open water before they were rescued by chance by a passing Korean vessel.
—Susan Young, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
The property encompasses 64,700 acres, and most of it is open water and small islands.
—Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open water
Cite this Entry
“Open water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20water. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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