white space

noun

1. the unprinted area of a piece of printing, as of a poster or newspaper page, or of a portion of a piece of printing, as of an advertisement; blank space.

   White space is as effective in a layout as type.

Word History and Origins

Origin of white space¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

“I don’t think I’ve read a novel that uses the white space on the page so well,” Doyle said, adding that in “Flesh,” “Every word matters; the spaces between the words matter.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We’ve captured the attention of consumers because we are addressing a rare white space in consumer products — with a hero ingredient people always love to fill one of the mainstays of the American diet, milk.

Read more on Salon

We’ve captured the attention of retailer buyers and consumers because we are addressing a rare white space in consumer products — with a hero ingredient people always love to fill one of the mainstays of the American diet: milk.

Read more on Salon

It’s more so just seeing that there’s a real white space for the audience and that there’s really no destination for women.

Read more on Slate

In August 2007, an endless white space appeared on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr., into which stepped a man wearing an orange track suit and a fuzzy orange hat.

Read more on Los Angeles Times