opening

noun

open·​ing

ˈōp-niŋ,

ˈō-pə- 

1

a

: an act or instance of making or becoming open

b

: an act or instance of beginning : commencement

especially : a formal and usually public event by which something new is put officially into operation

2

: something that is open: such as

a(1)

: breach, aperture

(2)

: an open width : span

b

: an area without trees or with scattered usually mature trees that occurs as a break in a forest

c

: two pages that face one another in a book

3

: something that constitutes a beginning: such as

a

: a usually planned series of moves made at the beginning of a game of chess or checkers compare endgame, middle game

b

: a first performance

4

a

: occasion, chance

b

: an opportunity for employment

Synonyms

• break
• chance
• occasion
• opportunity
• room
• shot

Examples of opening in a Sentence

the opening of a cave

They squeezed through a narrow opening between the fence and an oak tree.

The enemy's troops poured through an opening in our defenses.

We went to the play's opening.

Recent Examples on the Web

As with the preview number, that would be record for A24, beating the $13.6 million opening of A24’s horror pic Hereditary in 2018. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024

The opening of the port has yet to materialize, but Israel’s military has now opened a new crossing point into northern Gaza – opting to open a new one rather than retrofitting the Erez crossing to accommodate aid trucks. —Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

What follows are some of the government job openings listed by the city that pay $70,000 a year or more. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

Matt Call / Utah Division of Water Rights via AP An ice sheet on the reservoir had pushed up against the dam, causing the top to crack and tilt downstream, with water gushing through the opening, Taylor explained. —CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024

The festival’s opening weekend amassed 41 million unique viewers. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

The modern era of the building began in 2004 with the opening of the upscale, prix-fixe restaurant 1924 Main. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024

Following a scoreless first half, Robinson scored his only six points of the game on back-to-back threes in the opening minutes of the third quarter. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024

The Royals took a 3-0 lead, their opening runs in an eventual 11-0 victory — KC’s first in three games to start the year. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing opening

• cold opening
• opening gambit
• grand opening
• opening hours
• pre-opening
• opening night

Kids Definition

opening

noun

open·​ing ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: an act or instance of making or becoming open

the opening of a new store

welcome to our grand opening

2

: something that is open: as

a

: breach entry 1 sense 2b

b

: an open place

an opening in the woods

3

: beginning sense 2

the opening of fishing season

4

a

: occasion entry 1 sense 1, chance

saw an opening to run with the ball

b

: a job opportunity

openings for welders and machinists

Medical Definition

opening

noun

open·​ing ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: an act or instance of making or becoming open

2

: something (as an anatomical aperture) that is open or opens