opening

noun

open·​ing

ˈōp-niŋ,

ˈō-pə- 

1

a

: an act or instance of making or becoming open

b

: an act or instance of beginning : commencement

especially : a formal and usually public event by which something new is put officially into operation

2

: something that is open: such as

a(1)

: breach, aperture

(2)

: an open width : span

b

: an area without trees or with scattered usually mature trees that occurs as a break in a forest

c

: two pages that face one another in a book

3

: something that constitutes a beginning: such as

a

: a usually planned series of moves made at the beginning of a game of chess or checkers compare endgame, middle game

b

: a first performance

4

a

: occasion, chance

b

: an opportunity for employment

Synonyms

• break
• chance
• occasion
• opportunity
• room
• shot

Examples of opening in a Sentence

the opening of a cave

They squeezed through a narrow opening between the fence and an oak tree.

The enemy's troops poured through an opening in our defenses.

We went to the play's opening.

Recent Examples on the Web

Andrew Greif Marvin Mims returns the opening kickoff for Denver, and the Broncos will start their first possession. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024

New York Men’s Day is typically held on the opening day of New York Fashion Week in February and September and is part of the official calendar for the season. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024

Teach To Learn Check with your local college to see if there are adjunct professor openings for courses in your technical expertise. —Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

And on the Liberty’s following possession, Ionescu found Jones at the rim, who cashed in the opportunity to put the Liberty in front for the first time since early in the opening frame. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing opening

• cold opening
• grand opening
• opening crawl
• opening gambit
• opening hours
• opening night
• pre-opening

Kids Definition

opening

noun

open·​ing ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: an act or instance of making or becoming open

the opening of a new store

welcome to our grand opening

2

: something that is open: as

a

: breach entry 1 sense 2b

b

: an open place

an opening in the woods

3

: beginning sense 2

the opening of fishing season

4

a

: occasion entry 1 sense 1, chance

saw an opening to run with the ball

b

: a job opportunity

openings for welders and machinists

Medical Definition

opening

noun

open·​ing ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: an act or instance of making or becoming open

2

: something (as an anatomical aperture) that is open or opens