op·era
ˈä-p(ə-)rə 
Southern also ˈä-prē
1
: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures (see overture entry 1 sense 2) and interludes (see interlude sense 2)
2
: the score (see score entry 1 sense 6) of a musical drama
The composer finished the opera in just six weeks.
3
: the performance of an opera
The opera was delayed a half hour due to technical difficulties.
also
: a house where operas are performed
We'll meet you at the opera at 7 p.m.
Examples of opera in a Sentence
Noun
I am going to an opera tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Denise Warner, Billboard, 22 Dec. 2025
The season brings opera at the historic Sarasota Opera House, ballet and symphony performances at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and acclaimed productions from Florida Studio Theatre.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2025
The whimsical semi-staging of Ravel’s opera, The Child and the Magical Spells, was delightful.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
In the third film, Tony is finally an adult and is an accomplished opera singer.
—Alex Heigl, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
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Noun
The namesake of track 13 on Evermore, Marjorie Finlay was an opera singer whose voice can be heard in the background of her granddaughter’s song.
—Denise Warner, Billboard, 22 Dec. 2025
The season brings opera at the historic Sarasota Opera House, ballet and symphony performances at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and acclaimed productions from Florida Studio Theatre.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2025
The whimsical semi-staging of Ravel’s opera, The Child and the Magical Spells, was delightful.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
In the third film, Tony is finally an adult and is an accomplished opera singer.
—Alex Heigl, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
Cite this Entry
“Opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opera. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opera
1 of 2plural of opus
opera
2 of 2 noun
op·era
ˈäp-(ə-)rə
1
: a play in which usually the entire text is sung with orchestral accompaniment
2
: the performance of an opera
operatic
adjective
ˌäp-ə-ˈrat-ik
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