opening

About 39.97 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb present participle and gerund of open
2. adjective Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.

   The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is, perhaps, the most recognizable in all of European art music.

3. adjective Of the first period of play, usually up to the fall of the first wicket.
4. adjective Of the batsman who opens the innings or of a bowler who opens the attack.
5. noun An act or instance of making or becoming open.

   The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.

6. noun A gap permitting passage through.

   A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.

7. noun An act or instance of beginning.

   There have been few factory and store openings in the US lately.

8. noun Something that is a beginning. The first performance of a show or play by a particular troupe.

   They were disappointed at the turnout for their opening, but hoped that word would spread.

Similar words

starting beginning initiative initiatory inaugural introductory first possibility opening night gap

Often followed by

of the up and in a to for into

Word family

openings