1
a
: a theatrical art form using dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme, or atmosphere
b
: dancing in which conventional poses and steps are combined with light flowing figures (such as leaps and turns)
2
: music for a ballet
3
: a group that performs ballets
4
: something likened to a ballet especially in complexity and precision of movement
Where else can you peek into the kitchen and see a quiet ballet of cooks, their entire attention focused on feeding a mere 65 people?—
Ruth Reichl
Ruth ReichlRather, it is people and the daily ballet of urban life that make a city.—Steven Earnest et al.
Steven Earnest et al.Examples of ballet in a Sentence
She does tap dancing and ballet.
We are going to a ballet tonight.
This is one of my favorite ballets.
Recent Examples on the Web
With December approaching, boot season is on the horizon, but the best ballet flats aren’t going anywhere.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
Pixie Lott English singer, songwriter, actress and former ballet dancer Pixie Lott attended Annabel's Halloween 2024: Ghosts of Versailles party on October 25.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Vionic Orinda Square Toe Flat Slip into this comfortable pair of ballet flats from Vionic, made with the brand’s iconic comfort tech for easy all-day wear.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2024
For this milestone, the designer drew inspiration from ballet.
—Mikelle Street, WWD, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballet 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
Pixie Lott English singer, songwriter, actress and former ballet dancer Pixie Lott attended Annabel's Halloween 2024: Ghosts of Versailles party on October 25.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Vionic Orinda Square Toe Flat Slip into this comfortable pair of ballet flats from Vionic, made with the brand’s iconic comfort tech for easy all-day wear.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2024
For this milestone, the designer drew inspiration from ballet.
—Mikelle Street, WWD, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ballet
Dictionary Entries Near ballet
Cite this Entry
“Ballet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballet. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ballet
noun
bal·let
ˈbal-ā 
ba-ˈlā
1
a
: an art form that uses dancing to tell a story or express a theme
b
: dancing in which poses and steps are combined with leaps and turns
2
: a group that performs ballets
Etymology
from French ballet "ballet," derived from Italian ballare "to dance," from Latin ballare "to dance" — related to ball entry 3
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share