whitewater

¹ American  

[hwahyt-waw-ter, -wot-er, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər, ˈwaɪt- /

Or white-water

adjective

1. of or moving over or through rapids.

   whitewater rafting down the Colorado River.

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Whitewater ² American  

[hwahyt-waw-ter, -wot-er, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər, ˈwaɪt- /

noun

1. a town in SE Wisconsin.

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Etymology

Origin of whitewater

First recorded in 1900–05; from white water

Example Sentences

For several years, he worked as an outdoor guide, primarily leading whitewater rafting trips at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

Each summer, thousands of people boat, kayak or float on inner tubes on the river, which boasts whitewater areas as well as trout and salmon fisheries.

From BBC • Jul. 20, 2025

If the commission sets new terms that boost flows, it could open up more of the Kern River’s popular rapids for a longer period each year, bringing a boon to boaters and whitewater rafting businesses.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2025

"It looks like whitewater rapids outside," the 29-year-old said over the phone.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2024

Just down-stream from where the trail met the river, the Teklanika erupted into a chaos of boiling whitewater as it accelerated through the narrow gorge.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer