improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-,
 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-
1
: the act or art of improvising
2
: something (such as a musical or dramatic composition) improvised
improvisational
(ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-
adjective
improvisationally adverb

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation
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.
There were improvisations, installations, adaptations and novel collaborations among musicians and artists and media, with Mother Nature ever in the picture. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2024 But there’s one art form that successfully combines collaboration and improvisation (and math) to create something beautiful. Ariel Katz, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Experience some of The Second City’s newest classics alongside their trademark improvisation, performed by the next generation of comedy superstars. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 20 Oct. 2024 The search for solutions led him to Peyton Watson at the five, an act of positional improvisation that somehow worked against Miami. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for improvisation 

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of improvisation was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near improvisation

Cite this Entry

“Improvisation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvisation. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

improvisation

noun
im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌpräv-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
1
: the act or art of improvising
2
: something that is improvised
improvisational
-shnəl How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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