ballet

noun

bal·​let ba-ˈlā How to pronounce ballet (audio)
ˈba-ˌlā
1
a
: a theatrical art form using dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme, or atmosphere
b
: dancing in which conventional poses and steps are combined with light flowing figures (such as leaps and turns)
2
: music for a ballet
3
: a group that performs ballets
4
: something likened to a ballet especially in complexity and precision of movement
Where else can you peek into the kitchen and see a quiet ballet of cooks, their entire attention focused on feeding a mere 65 people?Ruth Reichl
Rather, it is people and the daily ballet of urban life that make a city.Steven Earnest et al.
balletic adjective

Examples of ballet in a Sentence

She does tap dancing and ballet. We are going to a ballet tonight. This is one of my favorite ballets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s something so natural and organic within ballet that lends itself to this age group. Essence, 16 Sep. 2025 Although the dress didn’t showcase the ’90s and early 2000s trends that saw a resurgence over the last few years — think low-rise jeans and ballet flats, among others — the haute couture look indeed called back to the high-fashion trends of the latter ’90s and early 2000s. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025 While volcanoes steadily puff the stuff into the air and oceans, the rate at which this happens has subtly changed over millions of years in the course of a grand planetary tectonic ballet. Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025 Learn the art of ballet folkorico from El Tesoro Del Folklor. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ballet

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "theatrical presentation telling a story by means of dance and mime," borrowed from Italian balletto (also "short, well-done dance, semblance of a dance done for amusement"), from ballo "dance" (noun derivative of ballare "to dance," going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -etto, diminutive suffix — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballet was in 1608

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Cite this Entry

“Ballet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballet. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

ballet

noun
bal·​let ˈbal-ā How to pronounce ballet (audio)
ba-ˈlā
1
a
: an art form that uses dancing to tell a story or express a theme
b
: dancing in which poses and steps are combined with leaps and turns
2
: a group that performs ballets
Etymology

from French ballet "ballet," derived from Italian ballare "to dance," from Latin ballare "to dance" — related to ball entry 3

More from Merriam-Webster on ballet

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