Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

French overture

noun

Definition of French overture 

: an overture of the 17th and 18th centuries in two repeated sections of which the first is homophonic and stately with dotted rhythms and the second is mostly faster and imitative The French overture form … was traditionally the music accompanying the entrance of the French king into the opera.— Gordon Jones, Bach’s Choral Music, 2009

— called also ouverture

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of French overture

1846, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about French overture

Share French overture

Statistics for French overture

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for French overture

The first known use of French overture was in 1846

See more words from the same year

Comments on French overture

What made you want to look up French overture? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

lunette

the figure or shape of a crescent moon

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games