white water

noun

variants or whitewater
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the fall of 1984, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg arrived at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, where a portrait of Mickey Mouse decorates the white water tower that rises over the sprawling San Fernando Valley lot. Jeanie Kasindorf, Vulture, 10 July 2024 The route passes gleaming white water towers that stand over single-story towns, cowboy churches, and DW’s Adult Video, a porno pitstop that still—if the billboard can be believed—does a roaring trade in DVDs. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2024 My kids can't decide which activity was their favorite: white water rafting, zip lining, two different rodeos, exploring the Lewis & Clark caverns, touring Yellowstone, swimming in the ice cold pool below Ousel Falls. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for white water 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white water was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near white water

Cite this Entry

“White water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20water. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

white water

noun
: rough foamy water (as in rapids or waterfalls)

More from Merriam-Webster on white water

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!