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
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
See an opera at the Teatro di San Carlo.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025
In one story, a 100-year-old opera singer faces one final audience in a performance that reflects the undimmed light of an enduring world.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
In a storyline that would prove groundbreaking and highly influential in the establishment of the 1970s soap-opera supercouple phenomenon, Luke raped Laura, a sign that the soap hadn’t intended to keep Geary around for long.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
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Noun
The Center is Washington’s premier arts institution, hosting Broadway shows, concerts, operas, and the annual Kennedy Center Honors, which are awarded to people who made great contributions to arts and culture.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
See an opera at the Teatro di San Carlo.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025
In one story, a 100-year-old opera singer faces one final audience in a performance that reflects the undimmed light of an enduring world.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
In a storyline that would prove groundbreaking and highly influential in the establishment of the 1970s soap-opera supercouple phenomenon, Luke raped Laura, a sign that the soap hadn’t intended to keep Geary around for long.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 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 25 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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