white water

noun

variants or whitewater

ˈ(h)wīt-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: turbulent, frothy water (as in breakers, rapids, or falls)

… it's New England's toughest stretch of … white water, a maze of boulders and narrow channels.

—Michael D. Burke

… he chased whitewater in some of North America's most remote corners …

—Mark Bechtel

When seized by white water, the idea is to swim for the bottom (if you can tell which way that is), pray to stay relaxed and conserve your air …

—Kenny Moore

white water rafting

a whitewater outfitter

white-water paddlers

Examples of white water in a Sentence

The canoe got caught in white water.

Recent Examples on the Web

Just in time for summer vacation planning, USA TODAY published several rankings of best adventure tours across the country, including categories like best bike tour, best helicopter tour, best white water rafting tour and best hot air balloon ride. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2024

Rothe suggests those going white water rafting wear sneakers that can get wet or sandals with a heel strap. —Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024

Recreation Package - Includes white water rafting, aerial ropes courses, ice skating, and more. $600 worth of regional benefits like South Bend Cubs baseball tickets, chocolate factory tours, zoo passes, airline vouchers, and tickets to ride the train to Chicago. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024

For thrill-seekers, there’s white water rafting, and when winter brings heavy snowfalls, the region’s eastern Kaçkar Mountains transform into a heli-skiing paradise. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

white water

noun

: rough foamy water (as in rapids or waterfalls)