opening

[ oh-puh-ning ]

noun

1. an act or instance of making or becoming open:

   The opening of the tomb gathered much publicity.

   Antonyms: closing

2. the act of a person or thing that opens:

   Her opening of the ceremony was brilliantly handled.

3. an unobstructed or unoccupied space or place:

   That narrow opening between buildings is a good place to shelter from the rain.

4. a void in solid matter; a gap, hole, or aperture:

   There was a little opening in the door they used as a peephole.

   Synonyms: chasm, rift, breach, slit, orifice, rent, fissure, cleft

5. a tract of land thinly wooded as compared with adjoining forest tracts.
6. the act of beginning; start; commencement:

   Tomorrow is the opening of a new session of Congress.

7. the first part or initial stage of anything:

   During the opening, the store had extra late hours.

8. an employment vacancy; an unfilled position or job:

   There are no openings for waitstaff at the moment.

9. an opportunity; chance.
10. a formal or official beginning, as of a sport season or a season's sale of goods:

    Today marks the opening of the deer-hunting season.

    Swimsuits sold well at the summer opening.

11. the first performance of a theatrical production.
12. the first public showing or use of something:

    It's rare for there to be so many journalists at the opening of an art exhibition.

13. a celebration of the first public showing or performance or of the first use or start of something:

    The new supermarket is going to give away prizes at its opening.

14. Law. the statement of the case made by counsel to the court or jury preliminary to adducing evidence.
15. a mode of beginning a game:

    a manual of chess openings.

adjective

1. first, inaugural, commencing, or beginning:

   The opening chapter of the book caught my attention immediately.

opening

/ ˈəʊpənɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of making or becoming open
2. a vacant or unobstructed space, esp one that will serve as a passageway; gap
3. a tract in a forest in which trees are scattered or absent
4. the first part or stage of something
5. 1. the first performance of something, esp a theatrical production
   2. ( as modifier )

      the opening night

6. a specific or formal sequence of moves at the start of any of certain games, esp chess or draughts
7. an opportunity or chance, esp for employment or promotion in a business concern
8. law the preliminary statement made by counsel to the court or jury before adducing evidence in support of his case

Other Words From

• pre·o·pen·ing adjective
• self-o·pen·ing adjective
• un·o·pen·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opening¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; open ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

You can also use the feature to display a future opening date for a new business.

From Search Engine Land

For example, the opening section of each morning newsletter is now similar to a “mini essay,” focusing on one big topic.

From Digiday

That was the vision and dedication that helped guide our nation through some of its most dangerous periods and ultimately helped create the opening that led to the end of the Cold War.

From Washington Post

We’re just in the opening stage of the new variants’ arrival in the United States.

From ProPublica

A few weeks later, I went to City Wildlife’s headquarters off Blair Road NW and, wearing a mask, recorded some introductions, along with opening and closing remarks.

From Washington Post

The ancient Egyptian festival of Wepet Renpet (“opening of the year”) was not just a time of rebirth—it was dedicated to drinking.

From The Daily Beast

They keep their heads low while running behind a large curtain covering the opening between two housing blocks.

From The Daily Beast

Although a hit in Britain, the movie flopped after opening at Radio City in New York.

From The Daily Beast

The opening of the battle narrative begins on—get this—page 266!

From The Daily Beast

Lastly, the re-opening of diplomatic ties between Havana and Washington gives Brazil a chance to push for changes in Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack.

From Project Gutenberg

These practical demonstrations occurred usually in the opening enthusiasm of the term.

From Project Gutenberg

Specimens were easily collected in a mist net placed across the opening.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be like opening the windows upon a stuffy, overcrowded and unventilated room of disputing people.

From Project Gutenberg

He didn't even wait until he had found the opening in which his daughter had appeared.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• commencement
• inauguration
• kickoff
• launch
• launching
• opener
• start