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

• opportunity
• chance
• room

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

Since opening in 1979, the family-run operation has become one of the state's biggest wildlife attractions. —Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Fifth Third Bank's opening is tentatively expected in early 2027, according to Vice President | Regional Marketing Manager Brian O’Meara. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

Saudi Arabia’s nine-year-old economic transformation plan, known as Vision 2030, is 85% complete, Minister Al-Falih said in opening remarks at the Fortune Global Forum. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025

Fresno State nearly got into field goal range on its opening drive, moving the ball 40 yards in 11 plays before punting at the SDSU 35. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for opening

• reopening

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