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 his bid for Wasserman assets, Whitesell has not yet partnered with an additional financial backer but is in active talks regarding funding if WTSL chooses to proceed with its overture. —Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026

Protect your energy by responding to social overtures on your schedule — not the world’s. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

However, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei didn’t agree, so not much came of the mutual overtures as Clinton’s time in office came to an end. —Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2026

If diplomatic overtures and negotiations do not persuade allies to adopt the same levels of restrictions proposed in the MATCH Act, the bill would direct the Commerce Department to invoke regulatory authorities that would force allies to cut off exports to China. —Jared Perlo, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026

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