opener

noun

open·​er
ˈōp-nər,
ˈō-pə- How to pronounce opener (audio)
: one that opens
a bottle opener
: such as
a
openers plural : cards of sufficient value for a player to open the betting in a poker game
b
: the first item, contest, or event of a series
Phrases
for openers
: to begin with

Example Sentences

The album's opener is a slow love song.
Recent Examples on the Web Fans also claim to have seen Swift’s Midnights collaborator Zoe Kravitz, her boyfriend Channing Tatum, Swift’s tour opener Gracie Abrams, and Maggie Rogers there. Vulture, 1 June 2023 Taylor Swift Eras Tour:5 magic moments at State Farm Stadium that Arizonans saw first How to get tickets to the Phoenix Mercury home opener This game marks the Mercury's earliest lower-level sellout since the late 1990s. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 12 May 2023 This turn of events—in the second-season opener—is widely regarded as one of the strangest creative decisions in recent television history. Phillip Maciak, The New Republic, 12 May 2023 The Reds haven’t named a fifth starter after designating Luis Cessa for assignment, and reliever Derek Law served as the opener on Thursday and recorded the first four outs. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 11 May 2023 The Lions will play the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL's Thursday night season opener Sept. 7 at Arrowhead Stadium, the team announced Thursday. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2023 When Philadelphia’s James Harden hung 45 on the Celtics in their series opener, a player who personifies the 3-pointers-and-layups ideology went 5 of 7 from mid-range. Julian Benbow, BostonGlobe.com, 11 May 2023 Frisco Wakeland 7, Frisco Lebanon Trail 1: Texas Tech signee Carson Priebe homered and drove in two as District 9-5A No. 4 seed Wakeland won its series opener against 10-5A champion Lebanon Trail. Greg Riddle, Dallas News, 5 May 2023 The facility should be finished for the scheduled May 20 opener of the Jackals. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 5 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opener.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opener was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near opener

Cite this Entry

“Opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opener. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

opener

noun
open·​er ˈōp-(ə-)nər How to pronounce opener (audio)
: something used for opening
a bottle opener
a conversation opener

More from Merriam-Webster on opener

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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