1
a
: an act or instance of making or becoming open
b
: an act or instance of beginning : commencement
especially
: a formal and usually public event by which something new is put officially into operation
2
3
: something that constitutes a beginning: such as
a
: a usually planned series of moves made at the beginning of a game of chess or checkers compare endgame, middle game
b
: a first performance
Examples of opening in a Sentence
the opening of a cave
They squeezed through a narrow opening between the fence and an oak tree.
The enemy's troops poured through an opening in our defenses.
We went to the play's opening.
Recent Examples on the Web
The first 100 customers at the South Lamar opening will get free churros and chocolate.
—
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The mobile billboard wheeled into Indianapolis this week to mark the opening of the first L.L. Bean store in the state.
—Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
More in the west Valley:New restaurant, sports bar and nightclub complex opening soon in Peoria.
—Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
The fame thing is less about ego and more about the opening of opportunity and being part of the conversation.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opening 
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Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The mobile billboard wheeled into Indianapolis this week to mark the opening of the first L.L. Bean store in the state.
—Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
More in the west Valley:New restaurant, sports bar and nightclub complex opening soon in Peoria.
—Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
The fame thing is less about ego and more about the opening of opportunity and being part of the conversation.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opening
Dictionary Entries Near opening
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opening. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opening
noun
open·ing
ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ 
1
: an act or instance of making or becoming open
the opening of a new store
welcome to our grand opening
2
3
: beginning sense 2
the opening of fishing season
4
a
: occasion entry 1 sense 1, chance
saw an opening to run with the ball
b
: a job opportunity
openings for welders and machinists
Medical Definition
opening
noun
open·ing
ˈōp-(ə-)niŋ
1
: an act or instance of making or becoming open
2
: something (as an anatomical aperture) that is open or opens
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