Jump To:

• open air
  open air

  noun

  the outdoors.
• open-air
  open-air

  adjective

  existing in, taking place in, or characteristic of the open air; outdoor.

open air

¹ American  

noun

1. the outdoors.

---

open-air ² American  

[oh-puhn-air] / ˈoʊ pənˈɛər /

adjective

1. existing in, taking place in, or characteristic of the open air; outdoor.

   The orchestra gave three open-air concerts last summer.

---

open air British  

noun

1. 1. the place or space where the air is unenclosed; the outdoors

   2. ( as modifier )

      an open-air concert

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• open-airness
  noun
• open-airish
  adjective
• open-airishness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of open air¹

First recorded in 1520–30

Origin of open-air²

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Security is expected to be tight for the event, which will be held in the open air, following a series of recent incidents involving Trump.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Because the giants stand in the open air, visitors who show up after hours — as I did — can ogle them any time.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

It warned that removing the waste could expose any slow-burning deep-seated fires to open air, risking greater combustion.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

A quarter—12 of 49—were confirmed to be autos with open air bag recalls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

I could see them leaning far out into the open air, hours from flight.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk