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.
And looking back at my ballet training, that was all about the core. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025 Based on Lynn Nottage’s book, with direction and choreography by ballet legend Christopher Wheeldon, the jukebox musical has been a hit with those seeking some semblance of the cultural magic that the late singer famously conjured. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2025 Kids will also learn some ballet moves and be offered a coloring activity. Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025 Like many arts organizations, the ballet has faced some challenges in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 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 9 Jul. 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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