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

Both the Guisane and Durance are popular rivers for white water rafting, fed by glaciers and snowmelt in the spring.

From BBC • Jul. 20, 2025

Moves like the turtle roll or duck dive — techniques that help you push your board through the white water — can help.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2023

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

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 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

With a sudden belch of smoke and a fountain of white water, the engine kicks.

From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell