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

Ross, 85, has rejected overtures from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin; designated his daughter Jennifer as his successor; and has given a significant non-Dolphins sports management job to son-in-law Dan Sillman, an experienced sports executive who is married to Ross’ daughter, Kim. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025

In a sort of overture to his story of the Grand Inquisitor, Ivan reels off various episodes involving the sufferings of children. —Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025

There are unanswered overtures from the choir’s pianist Horner (Robert Emms), a soft, vulnerable young man whose conscientious-objector status renders him a fellow outsider. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025

Especially for opera novices, the Prelude Talks can be a great way to get oriented before the overture. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 19 Oct. 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