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
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Detroit residents may purchase $25 tickets, starting the Monday before any opera or dance performance, by visiting the Detroit Opera House box office in person.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 14 Nov. 2025
At the center of her opera-house set, two layers of curtains part, revealing that glorious, preposterous, Clifford-size crinoline and the tiny woman ensconced within it.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
The book follows two men pursuing opera in 18th-century Italy — one, named Guido, is castrated to preserve his soprano singing voice, and the other, Tonio, is castrated by his brother Carlo in an attempt to control their family line.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
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Noun
The reality star accessorized with black opera gloves, a vintage Bvlgari bracelet and vintage Van Cleef & Arpels earrings.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Detroit residents may purchase $25 tickets, starting the Monday before any opera or dance performance, by visiting the Detroit Opera House box office in person.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 14 Nov. 2025
At the center of her opera-house set, two layers of curtains part, revealing that glorious, preposterous, Clifford-size crinoline and the tiny woman ensconced within it.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
The book follows two men pursuing opera in 18th-century Italy — one, named Guido, is castrated to preserve his soprano singing voice, and the other, Tonio, is castrated by his brother Carlo in an attempt to control their family line.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Nov. 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 18 Nov. 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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