opening

open·ing

noun \ˈōp-niŋ, ˈō-pə-\

Definition of OPENING

1

a : 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

2

: something that is open: as

a (1) : breach, aperture (2) : an open width : span

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: 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

4

a : occasion, chance

b : an opportunity for employment

Examples of OPENING

1. the opening of a cave
2. They squeezed through a narrow opening between the fence and an oak tree.
3. The enemy's troops poured through an opening in our defenses.
4. We went to the play's opening.

First Known Use of OPENING

13th century

Related to OPENING

Synonyms

break, chance, occasion, opportunity, room, shot

Related Words

play, way; juncture, pass

Near Antonyms

fill, filler, filling, patch, plug, seal, stopper; barrier, blockage, obstacle, obstruction

open·ing

noun \ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ\   (Medical Dictionary)

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