overture

1 of 2

noun

over·​ture ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r 

ˈō-və-,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

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

overture

2 of 2

verb

overtured; overturing

transitive verb

1

: to put forward as an overture

2

: to make or present an overture to

Synonyms

Noun

• prelude

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

Yet here Emery was, again, posed with Martinez and his overtures for Man United, despite no new bid being lodged throughout Sunday. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025

Ad sales execs had been trying to get agencies to bite on OOH viewing for decades, but their overtures always fell on deaf ears. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2025

South Korea’s leader praises Trump’s overtures to Pyongyang in Oval Office meeting The leaders of the US and South Korea agreed to increase cooperation on North Korea, shipbuilding, and security, even as lingering trade tensions persist. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Kim Yo-jong initially pursued fake peace overtures but is now more interested in directly escalating tensions with South Korea- to cultivate a cutthroat image to North Korean elite and the world. —Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overture

• coverture

Kids Definition

overture

noun

over·​ture

ˈō-və(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r,

-chər

1

: an opening offer : proposal

the enemy made overtures for peace

2

a

: a musical composition played by the orchestra as the introduction to an opera or musical play

b

: a piece of music in the style of an overture for concert performance