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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-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

The dump, which is partly open air, attracts large numbers of scavenger birds.

From Barron's • May 12, 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

"There were quite a few of us who were very clear that we have to go to a place with open air and with easy access to the fire service."

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

“You’re saying we ought not to go out into the open air? Man, every single part of me is aching to join the rest of the living universe again!”

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman