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

See Examples For:

white water

The 129-foot waterfall — a wide curtain of white water cascading from a basalt cliff face — generates its own rainbow and once was dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by President Theodore Roosevelt.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

"There was just an eruption of white water and it was evident that the dolphins had picked up on the porpoise's presence basically as soon as it entered the bay," said Mr Pedley.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2023

You’ll walk next to churning, frothing white water.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 28, 2023

Then again, most river lovers are pretty chill, even as they nurture a passion bordering on fanaticism when it comes to white water.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 4, 2022

Beside this root was a well of white water, Urda’s Well, so holy that none might drink of it.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton