overture

over·ture | \ ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r

How to pronounce overture (audio)

, 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

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 The overture to the Elvis conspiracy theorists came after QAnon proposed a similar merger with the National Rifle Association, which declined, citing difficulties of its own. — Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, "Shrinking QAnon to Merge with Elvis Conspiracy Theory," 23 Jan. 2021 No such overture was made by Google while Trump was president. — Nihal Krishan, Washington Examiner, "Big Tech offers Biden praise and support denied Trump," 21 Jan. 2021 Mozart himself would not have been embarrassed to claim the overture to Saint-Georges’ opera The Anonymous Lover. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, "Review: From his concertmaster’s chair, Alexander Kerr leads lively, elegant Dallas Symphony performances," 9 Jan. 2021 But by the end of the Broadway Sinfonietta’s overture and Kevin Chamberlin’s opening number — complete with a cancan kick line! — my skepticism for the scrappy experiment had waned. — Ashley Lee Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Why TikTok’s ‘Ratatouille’ experiment is the future of musical theater," 2 Jan. 2021 The major browser-makers blocked that overture as well. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Kazakhstan spies on citizens’ HTTPS traffic; browser-makers fight back," 19 Dec. 2020 But Biden's overture to a third lawmaker, Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., as the history-making first Native American interior secretary, set off a fresh round of pained conversations on what to do. — Lisa Mascaro, ajc, "Biden may time confirmation votes to protect House majority," 18 Dec. 2020 Each new Penpalooza participants get two pen pals -- one the new member initiates contact with, and another who will make the first overture. — David Blank, CNN, "This writer found an old typewriter and rekindled a traditional way of easing isolation just in time for the holidays," 13 Dec. 2020 Americas head Shawn Lytle, who made the initial overture to Waddell & Reed, worked hard to win over the firm’s management, forging strong personal ties over weeks of painstaking due diligence, the people said. — Nabila Ahmed, Bloomberg.com, "Most Powerful Woman in Australia Finance Inks First Big Deal," 7 Dec. 2020

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.

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Dictionary Entries near overture

overturn the decision

Statistics for overture

Last Updated

9 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Overture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overture. Accessed 13 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for overture

overture

noun

English Language Learners Definition of overture

: a piece of music played at the start of an opera, a musical play, etc.

: something that is offered or suggested with the hope that it will start a relationship, lead to an agreement, etc.

: the first part of an event : the beginning of something

See the full definition for overture in the English Language Learners Dictionary

overture

over·ture | \ ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r

\

Kids Definition of overture

1 : something first offered or suggested with the hope of reaching an agreement Old enemies made overtures of peace.

2 : a piece of music played at the beginning of an opera or musical play

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