1
: of or relating to painting in outdoor daylight
2
: of or relating to a branch of impressionism that attempts to represent outdoor light and air
plein air
2 of 2French adjective
: open-air : outdoor
Examples of plein air in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
After a while, the women decided to call themselves the New Barbizon, a tribute to the 19th-century French painters who rebelled against the claustrophobic conventions of the French Academy and painted landscapes en plein air.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024
In the span of art history, however, the window of painting lush landscapes en plein air didn’t stay open for very long.
—Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 27 Sep. 2024
For seven days, plein air painters celebrate the area's tradition of outdoor painting.
—Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plein air 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Adjective
The Mining Exchange Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO In this new property in downtown Colorado Springs each guestroom showcases artwork commissioned from Emma Kelly, a Colorado Springs native celebrated for her plein air paintings that capture the natural beauty of the region.
—Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
After a while, the women decided to call themselves the New Barbizon, a tribute to the 19th-century French painters who rebelled against the claustrophobic conventions of the French Academy and painted landscapes en plein air.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024
In the span of art history, however, the window of painting lush landscapes en plein air didn’t stay open for very long.
—Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 27 Sep. 2024
For seven days, plein air painters celebrate the area's tradition of outdoor painting.
—Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plein air
Dictionary Entries Near plein air
Cite this Entry
“Plein air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plein%20air. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share