overture

noun

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over·ture | \ ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r

, ˈō-və-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r \

Definition of overture

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an initiative toward agreement or action : proposal

b : something introductory : prelude

2a : the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work

b : an orchestral concert piece written especially as a single movement in sonata form

overture

verb

overtured; overturing

Definition of overture (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to put forward as an overture

2 : to make or present an overture to

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about overture

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Examples of overture in a Sentence

Noun The government has made a significant peace overture by opening the door to negotiation. the parade down Main Street served as the overture for a weekend of fun and festivities

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Climate scientists and climate policy experts largely welcomed Biden's international overture on climate negotiations, especially the outreach to China. — BostonGlobe.com, "Biden invites Russia, China to first global climate talks," 27 Mar. 2021 Climate scientists and climate policy experts largely welcomed Biden's international overture on climate negotiations, especially the outreach to China. — Ellen Knickmeyer And Seth Borenstein, Star Tribune, "Biden invites Russia, China to first global climate talks," 27 Mar. 2021 The frustration and belligerence, however, may actually be an overture. — Kim Tong-hyung, The Christian Science Monitor, "North Korea spars with the US over nuclear weapons negotiations," 18 Mar. 2021 Those insiders gather during the overture on Mr. Tcherniakov’s single set, a fancy conference room with a modernist starburst chandelier and an undulating rear wall of wood panels that swivel open to reveal a panorama of glass skyscrapers. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "‘Der Freischütz’ and ‘Songs for Murdered Sisters’ Reviews: Where Relationships and Violence Meet," 3 Mar. 2021 Fortunately, the playing mostly improved after an overture scruffy in both timing and tuning. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, "Review: Dallas Bach Society performs Handel’s dramatic early oratorio ‘La resurrezione’," 19 Apr. 2021 Lindell made a similar overture this month for the tens of thousands of National Guard troops sent to safeguard the nation's Capitol in the weeks since conspiracy theories helped spark its siege. — Stephen Montemayor, Star Tribune, "Minnesota's Mike Lindell among last remaining election fraud crusaders for Trump," 23 Jan. 2021 The 31-year-old big man on Monday signed a contract to finish the season in San Antonio, accepting the Spurs’ overture after listening to similar offers from New York, Phoenix, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Clippers. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, "Gorgui Dieng hopes to boost Spurs' playoff hopes," 29 Mar. 2021 But a request made to AstraZeneca (AZN) was ignored, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) denied the overture, according to executives at Biolyse. — Ed Silverman, STAT, "Canadian company pursues compulsory license to distribute Covid-19 vaccine to low-income countries," 29 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.