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

Examples of opener in a Sentence

The album's opener is a slow love song.
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.
But the Sixers came up with a defensive stop, and that allowed Philadelphia to win its regular-season opener. Tony Jones, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025 Billups, 49, was arrested early on Thursday morning in Portland, hours after his team lost its season opener to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 After the debate, Cuomo and Adams appeared together, court side, in the second half of the New York Knicks home opener, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025 Tapped as the sixth man in the opener, being summoned off the bench before anyone else, Sexton sparkled in his Hornets’debut. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opener

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opener.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opener. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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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