opening — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is, perhaps, the most recognizable in all of European art music.

   More examples (1)

   The opening act of the battle for Fort Sumter was the firing of a single 10-inch mortar round from Fort Johnson at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, by Lt. Henry S. Farley, who acted upon the command of Capt. George S. James, which round exploded over Fort Sumter as a signal to open the general bombardment from 43 guns and mortars at Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, the floating battery, and Cummings Point.

2. Of the first period of play, usually up to the fall of the first wicket.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

3. Of the batsman who opens the innings or of a bowler who opens the attack.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

Noun

1. An act or instance of making or becoming open.

   Examples

   The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.

   He remembered fondly the Christmas morning opening of presents.

2. A gap permitting passage through.

   Examples

   A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.

   He slipped through an opening in the crowd.

   More examples (2)

   He held that great exactness in craniotopography is unnecessary, all that is needed being to make a sufficiently large opening.

   Specialised long-reach excavators with a clamshell grab then reach though the openings to lift the spoil to the surface, which is then deposited in articulated dump trucks (ADTs).

3. An act or instance of beginning.

   Examples

   There have been few factory and store openings in the US lately.

   Their opening of the concert with Brass in Pocket always fires up the crowd.

4. Something that is a beginning. The first performance of a show or play by a particular troupe.

   Examples

   They were disappointed at the turnout for their opening, but hoped that word would spread.

5. Something that is a beginning. The initial period when an art exhibition, fashion show, etc. is first opened, especially the first evening.

   Examples

   The French openings decided that satin gowns, suits, wraps and even hats were to be in first fashion this autumn.

6. Something that is a beginning. The first few measures of a musical composition.

7. Something that is a beginning. The first few moves in a game.

   Examples

   John spends two hours a day studying chess openings, and another two hours studying endgames.

8. Something that is a beginning. The initial movement in a market when it opens.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   If overnight the S&P futures value moves beyond 1,425, that could indicate a higher opening for S&P 500 and generally the stock market. If, however, it stands below 1,425 this could be an indicator of a weak opening.

9. A vacant position, especially in an array.

   Examples

   Are there likely to be any openings on the Supreme Court in the next four years?

10. A vacant position, especially in an array. A time available in a schedule.

    Examples

    If you'd like to make a booking with us, we have an opening at twelve o'clock.

    The only two-hour openings for the hockey rink are between 1AM and 5AM.

11. A vacant position, especially in an array. An unoccupied employment position.

    Examples

    We have an opening in our marketing department.

12. An opportunity, as in a competitive activity.

    Examples

    The Reds carved the first opening of the second period as Glen Johnson's pull-back found David Ngog but the Frenchman hooked wide from six yards.

13. In mathematical morphology, the dilation of the erosion of a set.

Adjective

1. first or beginning

   Antonyms

   closing

   Examples

   the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth

   the play's opening scene

Noun

1. an open or empty space in or between things

   Synonyms

   gap

   Broader terms

   space

   Examples

   there was a small opening between the trees

   the explosion made a gap in the wall

2. a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise

   Broader terms

   ceremonyceremonialceremonial occasionobservance

3. becoming open or being made open

   Broader terms

   change of integrity

   Examples

   the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for

4. the first performance (as of a theatrical production)

   Synonyms

   opening nightcurtain raising

   Broader terms

   start

   Examples

   the opening received good critical reviews

5. the act of opening something

   Antonyms

   closing

   Broader terms

   motionmovementmovemotility

   Examples

   the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door

6. opportunity especially for employment or promotion

   Broader terms

   opportunitychance

   Examples

   there is an opening in the sales department

7. the initial part of the introduction

   Broader terms

   introduction

   Examples

   the opening established the basic theme

8. a possible alternative

   Synonyms

   possibilitypossible action

   Broader terms

   optionalternativechoice

   Examples

   bankruptcy is always a possibility

9. an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity

   Synonyms

   orificeporta

   Broader terms

   passagepassageway

   Examples

   the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart

10. a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made

    Broader terms

    artifactartefact

    Examples

    they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door

11. an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship

    Synonyms

    hatchwayscuttle

    Broader terms

    entranceentrancewayentrywayentryentree

12. a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess

    Synonyms

    chess opening

    Broader terms

    successionsequence

    Examples

    he memorized all the important chess openings

13. the first of a series of actions

    Synonyms

    first stepinitiativeopening move

    Broader terms

    beginningstartcommencement