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 of overture

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

In an overture to its customers, YouTube TV is offering them a $20 credit for their inconvenience. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2025

Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Kim has also rebuffed overtures from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who favors greater engagement with the North than his conservative predecessor. —Stella Kim, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025

The overtures backfired, with Sheridan preferring a less corporate approach. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025

His campaign has made overtures to Republicans as the only viable candidate for people who don’t want to vote for Mamdani since polling has shown that GOP hopeful Curtis Sliwa is unlikely to be competitive. —Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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