open door

American  

noun

1. the policy of admitting people of all nationalities or ethnic groups to a country upon equal terms, as for immigration.

2. the policy or practice of trading with all nations on an equal basis.

3. admission or access; unrestricted opportunity.

   His experience had given him an open door to success in his field.

---

open door British  

noun

1. a policy or practice by which a nation grants opportunities for trade to all other nations equally

2. free and unrestricted admission

---

adjective

1. open to all; accessible

2. (in industrial relations) designating a policy of management being prepared to talk to workers in the office at any time

Other Word Forms

• open-door adjective

Etymology

Origin of open door

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

Lottery funding awarded to a community group in Coventry will allow it to provide an "open door" to those in need.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

“We’re asking for accessibility, not an open door to cause harm.”

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

The revolution turns out to be pushing on an open door.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

A police officer was patrolling her yard, responding to a neighbor’s call about an open door at her home.

From Slate • Oct. 23, 2025

I hesitated on the threshold, heedless of the wind blowing through the open door.

From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn