white water

American  

noun

1. frothy water, as in whitecaps and rapids.

2. light-colored seawater over a shoal, sandy bottom, etc.

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white water British  

noun

1. a stretch of water with a broken foamy surface, as in rapids

2. light-coloured sea water, esp over shoals or shallows

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Etymology

Origin of white water

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

White water rafting, kayaking and canoeing: The Trinity River, a 203-mile tributary of the Klamath River, starts in the Trinity Alps and features calm waters and multiple classes of white water.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

They typically appear as darker, narrow gaps of water between areas of breaking waves and white water.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2023

They are small today, relatively at least, but there is still a backdrop of bubbling white water and churning white noise.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2023

The unsinkable otters laze buoyant on their backs in the pounding white water, and the seabirds hover and settle gently on the point of a rock in the gale, balancing on thin bare legs.

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2023

As darkness fell, Tally and David reached the white water, and they passed through the greenbelt at the very moment the lights winked off in Uglyville.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld