choreography

noun

cho·​re·​og·​ra·​phy ˌkȯr-ē-ˈä-grə-fē How to pronounce choreography (audio)
plural choreographies
1
: the art of symbolically representing dancing
2
a
: the composition and arrangement of dances especially for ballet
b
: a composition created by this art
3
: something resembling choreography
a snail-paced choreography of delicate high diplomacyWolfgang Saxon
choreographic adjective
choreographically adverb

Did you know?

In ancient Greece, a choreia was a circular dance accompanied by a singing chorus. But the actual notating of dances by means of symbols didn't begin until the 17th or 18th century, when ballet developed into a complex art form in France. The choreographer of a major ballet, which might run to an hour or more, will always record his or her work in notation, though choreographing a five-minute segment for a TV talent show usually doesn't require any record at all.

Examples of choreography in a Sentence

He has an interest in choreography. a show with excellent choreography
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The neuroscientist and brain surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, was studying the brain activity behind speech, that precise and delicate neural choreography by which lips, jaw, tongue, and larynx produce meaningful sounds. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024 Lee’s death that year left Game of Death unfinished, and in 1978, Hung was charged with the fight choreography for the reshoots. Gavin J Blair, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2024 His shows were theatrical masterpieces, and Luther was involved in every detail of their production: his vocals, his background singers’ harmonies, their choreography and even his background singers’ gowns! Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Different episodes have different ways of incorporating Chad’s choreography. Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for choreography 

Word History

Etymology

French chorégraphie, from Greek choreia + French -graphie -graphy

First Known Use

circa 1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of choreography was circa 1789

Dictionary Entries Near choreography

Cite this Entry

“Choreography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choreography. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

choreography

noun
cho·​re·​og·​ra·​phy ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fē How to pronounce choreography (audio)
ˌkȯr-
: the art of arranging dances especially for ballet
choreograph
ˈkōr-ē-ə-ˌgraf
ˈkȯr-
verb
choreographer
ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fər
ˌkȯr-
noun
choreographic
-ē-ə-ˈgraf-ik
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on choreography

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