English to English
adjective
- first or beginning
The memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth.
The play's opening scene.
source: WordNet 3.0
noun
- an open or empty space in or between things
There was a small opening between the trees.
The explosion made a gap in the wall.
source: WordNet 3.0
- a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
source: WordNet 3.0
- becoming open or being made open
The opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for.
source: WordNet 3.0
- the first performance (as of a theatrical production)
The opening received good critical reviews.
source: WordNet 3.0
- the act of opening something
The ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door.
source: WordNet 3.0
- opportunity especially for employment or promotion
There is an opening in the sales department.
source: WordNet 3.0
- the initial part of the introduction
The opening established the basic theme.
source: WordNet 3.0
- a possible alternative
Bankruptcy is always a possibility.
source: WordNet 3.0
- an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
The orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart.
source: WordNet 3.0
- a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
They left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door.
source: WordNet 3.0
- an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
source: WordNet 3.0
- a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
He memorized all the important chess openings.
source: WordNet 3.0
- the first of a series of actions
source: WordNet 3.0
- The act or process of opening; a beginning; commencement; first appearance; as, the opening of a speech.
source: Webster 1913
