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

Steven Knight, who created the television show, wrote the script, while Rambert artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer handled choreography and direction. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025

Bringing together some of today’s most innovative stunt designers, this conversation traces the craft’s journey from early cinematic daredevils to today’s painstaking choreography; and its long fight for overdue Academy recognition. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025

Eleven of her music videos have been nominated for best choreography in a video at the MTV Video Music Awards. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025

Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch direct, with choreography by Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025

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