choreography

noun

cho·​re·​og·​ra·​phy ˌkȯr-ē-ˈä-grə-fē 

plural choreographies

1

: the art of symbolically representing dancing

2

a

: the composition and arrangement of dances especially for ballet

b

: a composition created by this art

3

: something resembling choreography

… a snail-paced choreography of delicate high diplomacy …

—Wolfgang Saxon

choreographic

ˌkȯr-ē-ə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

choreographically

ˌkȯr-ē-ə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

In ancient Greece, a choreia was a circular dance accompanied by a singing chorus. But the actual notating of dances by means of symbols didn't begin until the 17th or 18th century, when ballet developed into a complex art form in France. The choreographer of a major ballet, which might run to an hour or more, will always record his or her work in notation, though choreographing a five-minute segment for a TV talent show usually doesn't require any record at all.

Examples of choreography in a Sentence

He has an interest in choreography.

a show with excellent choreography

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the most naïve new New Yorker learned the choreography of avoiding trouble, the small dance of changing cars. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

Her choreography highlights her polish. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

At Sunday night’s TapN2Tap concert, groups from around the country will perform at the Eisemann Center, with new choreography by Renato and Murphy created during RIFF Dallas residencies earlier in the weekend. —Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026

Expect bells-and-whistles orchestral shows full of the oddball jokes, elaborate choreographies, and technological thrills that have made the Talking Heads frontman’s recent live show the biggest boon of his solo career. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French chorégraphie, from Greek choreia + French -graphie -graphy

First Known Use

circa 1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for choreography

• bibliography
• chromatography
• crystallography
• hagiography
• iconography
• lexicography
• metallography
• myelography
• oceanography
• physiography
• plethysmography
• polarography

Kids Definition

choreography

noun

cho·​re·​og·​ra·​phy ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fē 

ˌkȯr-

: the art of arranging dances especially for ballet

choreograph

ˈkōr-ē-ə-ˌgraf, 

ˈkȯr-

verb

choreographer

ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fər, 

ˌkȯr-

noun

choreographic

-ē-ə-ˈgraf-ik

adjective