open air

¹ American  

noun

1. the outdoors.

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open-air ² American  

[oh-puhn-air] / ˈoʊ pənˈɛər /

adjective

1. existing in, taking place in, or characteristic of the open air; outdoor.

   The orchestra gave three open-air concerts last summer.

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open air British  

noun

1. 1. the place or space where the air is unenclosed; the outdoors

   2. ( as modifier )

      an open-air concert

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Other Word Forms

• open-airish adjective
• open-airishness noun
• open-airness noun

Etymology

Origin of open air¹

First recorded in 1520–30

Origin of open-air²

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

A quarter—12 of 49—were confirmed to be autos with open air bag recalls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

The team identified two distinct kinds of amber: one formed underground near the roots of resin-producing plants, and another that developed in the open air.

From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2025

Other departments are relocating their offices to open air halls called "hotai" in Nay Pyi Taw, which are built with steel frames.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025

Emergency services in Veracruz have been responding to a greater number of heat-related emergencies in areas like warehouses and even open air spaces.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2024

The ground was being swept out from under him and he was plummeting through open air.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman