opening
noun
open·ing
| \ ˈōp-niŋ
, ˈō-pə-\
, ˈō-pə-\
Definition of opening
1a
: an act or instance of making or becoming open
b
: an act or instance of beginning : commencement
especially
: a formal and usually public event by which something new is put officially into operation
b
: an area without trees or with scattered usually mature trees that occurs as a break in a forest
c
: two pages that face one another in a book
3
: something that constitutes a beginning: such as
a
: a usually planned series of moves made at the beginning of a game of chess or checkers — compare endgame, middle game
b
: a first performance
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Synonyms for opening
Synonyms
break, chance, occasion, opportunity, room, shot
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Examples of opening in a Sentence
the opening of a cave
They squeezed through a narrow opening between the fence and an oak tree.
The enemy's troops poured through an opening in our defenses.
We went to the play's opening.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Billy Sharp Sheffield United cult hero Billy Sharp scored his first ever Premier League goal at the age of 33 on the opening weekend of the 2019/20 season. — SI.com, "7 Players Who Have Scored in Each of the Top 4 Leagues in English Football," 21 Aug. 2019 For Spider-Man: Far From Home, that would have totaled $1.96 million of the film’s $39.2 million opening-day haul. — Dan Reilly, Fortune, "Spider-Man Far From the MCU, As Sony-Disney Deal Flounders," 21 Aug. 2019 Plan to attend the opening reception on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. Learn the art of screen painting in a wonderful class Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Screen painting's origins date to 1913 in East Baltimore. — Judy Morley, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Coming Attractions: Seventh annual Y’Art Sale fundraiser set for this weekend at Arts Center," 21 Aug. 2019 The Wahlburgers grand opening was also a benefit for Beaumont’s Children’s Miracle Network, which raises funds for treatment and healthcare in several ways. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Newest Wahlburgers opens with visit from famous brothers," 20 Aug. 2019 In March of that year, Glendale City Council members voted to go forward with the playground, Mayor Ara Najarian said during a speech at the park’s official opening on Saturday. — Lila Seidman, Glendale News-Press, "Shane’s Inspiration playground, designed for children of all cognitive, physical abilities, opens in Glendale," 20 Aug. 2019 Trainers and others noted that the opening day does not hold the allure of previous decades. — Elliott Almond, The Mercury News, "Horse racing, with its fans and its problems, returns to Bay Area," 15 Aug. 2019 Previews will begin on March 2, 2020 with an opening night set for March 31. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, "Musical About Princess Diana's Wedding to Prince Charles Is Heading to Broadway This Spring," 12 Aug. 2019 Lovely chords, lacy clouds and legal cannabis wafted through the west end of Golden Gate Park as tens of thousands of rock fans dug themselves in for the opening day of what could pass for Woodstock — half a century later. — Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, "Outside Lands comes alive with pot, tunes and tight security," 9 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opening.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for opening
opening
noun
English Language Learners Definition of opening
: a hole or empty space that you can go through
: the first part of something
: the first time that something happens
See the full definition for opening in the English Language Learners Dictionary
opening
noun
open·ing
| \ ˈō-pə-niŋ
, ˈōp-niŋ\
, ˈōp-niŋ\
Kids Definition of opening
1
: a place that is not enclosed or covered : clearing
2
: an act of making or becoming ready for use
Neighbors are anxious for the opening of a new store.
3
: beginning
People who came late missed the opening of the speech.
4
: occasion entry 1 sense 3
He was waiting for an opening to tell the joke.
5
: a job opportunity
There is an opening in the legal department.
opening
noun
open·ing
| \ ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ
\
\
Medical Definition of opening
1
: an act or instance of making or becoming open
2
: something (as an anatomical aperture) that is open or opens
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