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• 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.

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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.

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open air British  

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      an open-air concert

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of open air¹

First recorded in 1520–30

Origin of open-air²

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Open-air burn pits lit by jet fuel were common on American military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq that were unequipped for disposal and sanitation services.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2023

Open-air markets and sports facilities were also closed.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2021

Open-air market with fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and prepared foods.

From Washington Post • Sep. 16, 2021

Open-air swimming pools will be able to open from 15 May and some gyms from 1 June.

From The Guardian • Apr. 21, 2021

Open-air parade services were tried for the convalescents, but it soon became impossible to hold them.

From From Aldershot to Pretoria A Story of Christian Work among Our Troops in South Africa by Allen, R. W.