open letter

American  

noun

1. a letter, often of protest or criticism, addressed to a specific person, but intended to be brought to public attention.

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open letter British  

noun

1. a letter, esp one of protest, addressed to a person but also made public, as through the press

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Other Word Forms

• open-letter adjective

Etymology

Origin of open letter

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The bloc has long been working on a digital euro, which dozens of economists -- including Thomas Piketty -- called an "essential safeguard of European sovereignty" in an open letter last month.

From Barron's

Councillor Robert Alden, leader of the city's Conservative group, wrote an open letter to her inviting her to stand for the party, if she decides to move back to the city.

From BBC

Over the weekend, the CEOs of about 60 Minnesota-based companies, including Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth, signed an open letter calling for a de-escalation of tensions.

From MarketWatch

Several Holocaust memorials and commemorative associations this month issued an open letter warning about the rising number of these "entirely fabricated" pieces of content.

From Barron's

On Sunday, more than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies, in an open letter, called for “an immediate de-escalation,” and said they were focused on “real solutions.”

From MarketWatch