op·era
ˈä-p(ə-)rə 
Southern also ˈä-prē
1
: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures (see overture entry 1 sense 2) and interludes (see interlude sense 2)
2
: the score (see score entry 1 sense 6) of a musical drama
The composer finished the opera in just six weeks.
3
: the performance of an opera
The opera was delayed a half hour due to technical difficulties.
also
: a house where operas are performed
We'll meet you at the opera at 7 p.m.
Examples of opera in a Sentence
Noun
I am going to an opera tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
On April 10 and 12, the Jacksonville Symphony will present Puccini’s opera Tosca in Jacoby Symphony Hall, part of the Greta Challen Berg Artists Series.
—Courtney Lewis, Florida Times-Union, 28 Mar. 2026
Her part, like that of Alice in Barry’s previous opera, is enlivened by delightfully squeaky high notes in unexpected places.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
As previously reported by Billboard, the Lux Tour is Rosalía’s most ambitious production to date, featuring a show structured in four acts that combines elements of opera, flamenco, and techno.
—Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opera
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Noun
Minnesota Opera brings a production directed by Brenna Corner, first presented at the Glimmerglass Festival in 2024, as its final mainstage opera of the season.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
On April 10 and 12, the Jacksonville Symphony will present Puccini’s opera Tosca in Jacoby Symphony Hall, part of the Greta Challen Berg Artists Series.
—Courtney Lewis, Florida Times-Union, 28 Mar. 2026
Her part, like that of Alice in Barry’s previous opera, is enlivened by delightfully squeaky high notes in unexpected places.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
As previously reported by Billboard, the Lux Tour is Rosalía’s most ambitious production to date, featuring a show structured in four acts that combines elements of opera, flamenco, and techno.
—Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opera
Cite this Entry
“Opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opera. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opera
1 of 2plural of opus
opera
2 of 2 noun
op·era
ˈäp-(ə-)rə
1
: a play in which usually the entire text is sung with orchestral accompaniment
2
: the performance of an opera
operatic
adjective
ˌäp-ə-ˈrat-ik
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