overture

noun over·ture \ ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r , ˈō-və- , -chər , -ˌtyu̇r , -ˌtu̇r \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: overture in a Sentence

Definition of overture

1 a : an initiative toward agreement or action : proposal

b : something introductory : prelude

2 a : the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work

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

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Examples of overture in a Sentence

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 of overture from the Web

Kim’s sports minister promptly rejected the overture, but Moon persisted.

— matt stiles, latimes.com, "South Korea's president was matchmaker for the nuclear summit — but could take the blame if it fails," 7 June 2018
The overtures to the witnesses were made by phone and encrypted text messages, prosecutors said in a late Monday court filing.

— spencer s. hsu, Washington Post, "Judge gives Manafort team until Friday to reply to witness tampering allegation," 5 June 2018
Balances were sensitively maintained, and the soft playing the strings produced, here and in the Weber overture, was beautiful indeed.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Marek Janowski's belated CSO downtown debut sends electric charge through Orchestra Hall," 1 June 2018
The overtures appear to have worked: as The Economist went to press, Russia and Israel were finalising an agreement that would attempt to keep Iranian forces some 15 miles (24km) away from the Israeli border in Syria.

— The Economist, "Russia struggles to balance between Israel and Iran," 31 May 2018
After being berated by Mr. Trump over the recusal decision last spring, Sessions reportedly offered his resignation, but the overture was rejected.

— CBS News, "Inside the Republican strategy to save Jeff Sessions," 31 May 2018
Asked Tuesday by Capitol Watch about the Bysiewicz overture, Jackson did not directly confirm or deny it.

— christopher keating, courant.com, "Former Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson Considered for Lt. Gov," 22 May 2018
With clear, broad podium gestures, Scaglione shaped the noble opening, the ecstatic central section, and the triumphant processional that concludes the overture.

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A game of musical chairs and an impressive debut: Scaglione stellar with the San Diego Symphony," 7 Apr. 2018
In practical terms, the Chinese overtures suggest that any meetings Kim holds with Trump and Moon may eventually pave the way for a return of the six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear program.

— david tweed, Bloomberg.com, "Kim’s Message for Trump: China Is Back on Side," 28 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of overture

Middle English, literally, opening, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *opertura, alteration of Latin apertura — more at aperture

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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overture Synonyms

Synonyms

curtain-raiser, preamble, preliminary, prelude, prologue (also prolog);

Related Words

lead-in;

kickoff, start;

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

overture

verb

Definition of overture

overtured; overturing

transitive verb

1 : to put forward as an overture

2 : to make or present an overture to

First Known Use of overture

1655

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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OVERTURE Defined for English Language Learners

overture

noun

Definition of overture for English Language Learners

: 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