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 Trump has made overtures to disappointed Sanders fans since April. — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, "'Not a fighter': Trump taunts 'Crazy Bernie Sanders' while trying to woo his supporters," 20 May 2020 Sysco has made fresh overtures to Metro in recent weeks, after first expressing interest in buying a stake last year, said the people, who asked not to be identified because talks are private. — Eyk Henning, Bloomberg.com, "Sysco Approaches Germany’s Metro About Takeover," 8 May 2020 Some commentators in China have threatened economic punishment if the island continues making diplomatic overtures. — Chris Horton, New York Times, "Coronavirus Crisis Offers Taiwan a Chance to Push Back Against China," 22 Apr. 2020 Figures who represented the next generation of the Democratic Party establishment—Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand—all began their campaigns supporting Medicare for All, and all made overtures to the left. — Eric Lach, The New Yorker, "Bernie Sanders and the Promised Land," 8 Apr. 2020 Will Harris made 43 tackles and had one sack in six starts as a rookie, but the Lions made overtures at safeties like Michigan native Jeff Heath in free agency. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions trade for New England Patriots safety Duron Harmon," 18 Mar. 2020 Glidden said the Malloy administration made overtures about a labor-management review of state government in concession talks in 2011 and again in 2017. — Mark Pazniokas, courant.com, "Who is Josh Geballe? The former IBM executive is looking to transform Connecticut state government ahead of a wave of retirements," 5 Aug. 2019 Bowen's overture was described briefly in an 89-page whistleblower complaint filed this week by Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. — Aaron C. Davis, Anchorage Daily News, "In the early days of the pandemic, the U.S. government turned down an offer to manufacture millions of N95 masks in America," 9 May 2020 Trudeau’s initial overtures to the protesters angered some business leaders and Conservatives, some of whom pressed the government to use force to swiftly end the protests. — Kevin Orland, Bloomberg.com, "The Fight Over a Gas Pipeline Is Paralyzing Parts of Canada’s Economy," 9 May 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.