opening

noun

open·​ing
ˈōp-niŋ,
ˈō-pə- How to pronounce opening (audio)
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)
(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
b
: an opportunity for employment

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 Trending on Billboard Billboard recently caught up with Leiweke-Bodie to discuss the opening of Coop Live and detail OVG’s near-term expansion plans around the globe. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2024 And Peter sees both a threat (shutting down the spa will allow other nearby towns the time to build their own baths) and, in Thomas’ outsider status and inherent vulnerabilities, an opening. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 This week the town is once again stealing the spotlight to announce the opening of a new hotel called the Graduate Auburn, AL. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024 That same week, the Prince of Wales, 41, showed his support for his wife during an outing to celebrate the opening the new youth zone WEST in Hammersmith, west London. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 Nomo also traveled to South Korea for the opening of Park’s museum. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 SiR is private, opening up for the first time about his personal life and most of all — his faults. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 The current welcome offer on the Capital One Venture X is 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on your card in the first three months of account opening. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2024 Taylor Bills also deserves special mention for the dramatically colorful illustrations over the opening credits. Joe Leydon, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opening.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of opening was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near opening

Cite this Entry

“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opening. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

opening

noun
open·​ing ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce opening (audio)
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
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 How to pronounce opening (audio)
1
: an act or instance of making or becoming open
2
: something (as an anatomical aperture) that is open or opens

More from Merriam-Webster on opening

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