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opening definition

open·ing (ō′pə niŋ′, ōp′niŋ′)

noun

  1. a becoming open or causing to be open
  2. an open place or part; hole; gap; aperture
  3. ☆ a clearing in the midst of a wooded area
    1. a beginning; first part; commencement
    2. start of operations; formal beginning
    3. a first performance, as of a play
  5. a favorable chance or occasion; opportunity
  6. an unfilled position or office for which a person is wanted
  7. Chess, Checkers the series of moves at the beginning of a game, often a specific, conventional sequence of moves

Etymology: ME openyng

adjective

initial or introductory opening remarks

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business opening definition - business

medical opening definition - medical

opening Synonyms

opening

modif.

initial, beginning, primary; see first 1.


opening

n.

  1. A hole

    break, crack, tear; see hole 1, 2.

  2. An opportunity

    chance, availability, occasion; see opportunity 1, possibility 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

opening Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • exhibition: The Duke also unveiled a plaque, commemorating the official opening of the new Exhibition Hanger.

Converse of object

  • celebrate: We are very pleased to have celebrated the official opening of the new interchange, which is such a major asset for our region.

Adjective modifier

  • official: The venue's official opening will take place on Saturday 17 June.

Modifies a noun

  • ceremony: The last time we saw a superb opening ceremony was in Turin for the Winter Olympics.

Noun used with modifier

  • door: Access is by an outside door opening onto a stone spiral staircase.
opening usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

opening quotes

'No better opening anywhere,'said my aunt,'for a man who conducts himself well, and is industrious.'

-Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

Politics is just like show business†a hell of an opening, you coast for a while, you have a hell of a closing.

-Reagan, Ronald Wilson

The point is the seeingöthe grace beyond recognition, the ways of the bird rising, unnamed, unknown, beyond the range of language, beyond its noun. Eyes open on growing, flying, happening, and go on opening. Manifold, the world dawns on unrecognizing, realizing eyes. Amazement is the thing. Not love, but the astonishment of loving.

-Reid, Alastair

opening quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"opening." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/opening>

APA Style

opening. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/opening

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