opening

Plural: openings

Noun

• A space that is open; the beginning of something.
• an open or empty space in or between things
  • "there was a small opening between the trees"
• a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
• becoming open or being made open
  • "the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for"
• the first performance (as of a theatrical production)
  • "the opening received good critical reviews"
• the act of opening something
  • "the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door"
• opportunity especially for employment or promotion
  • "there is an opening in the sales department"
• the initial part of the introduction
  • "the opening established the basic theme"
• a possible alternative
• an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
• a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
  • "they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door"
• an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
• a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
  • "he memorized all the important chess openings"
• the first of a series of actions
• An act or instance of making or becoming open.
• A gap permitting passage through.
• An act or instance of beginning.
• Something that is a beginning.
• The first performance of a show or play by a particular troupe.
• Something that is a beginning.
• The initial period when an art exhibition, fashion show, etc. is first opened, especially the first evening.
• Something that is a beginning.
• The first few measures of a musical composition.
• Something that is a beginning.
• The first few moves in a game.
• A vacant position, especially in an array.
• A vacant position, especially in an array.
• A time available in a schedule.
• A vacant position, especially in an array.
• An unoccupied employment position.
• An opportunity, as in a competitive activity.
• In mathematical morphology, the dilation of the erosion of a set.

Verb

• cause to open or to become open
• start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning
• become open
• begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.
• spread out or open from a closed or folded state
• make available
• become available
• have an opening or passage or outlet
• make the opening move
  • "Kasparov opened with a standard opening"
• afford access to
• display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer
• present participle and gerund of open

Adjective

• first or beginning
  • "the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth"
  • "the play's opening scene"

Adj

• Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.
• Of the first period of play, usually up to the fall of the first wicket.
• Of the batsman who opens the innings or of a bowler who opens the attack.

Examples

• A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.
• He remembered fondly the Christmas morning opening of presents.
• He slipped through an opening in the crowd.
• The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.
• The opening act of the battle for Fort Sumter was the firing of a single 10-inch mortar round from Fort Johnson at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861, by Lt. Henry S. Farley, who acted upon the command of Capt. George S. James, which round exploded over Fort Sumter as a signal to open the general bombardment from 43 guns and mortars at Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, the floating battery, and Cummings Point.
• The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is, perhaps, the most recognizable in all of European art music.
• The Words With Friends opening play felt tentative, but set up a strong mid-game.

Synonyms

afford, chess opening, curtain raising, first step, gap, give, hatchway, initiative, open, open up, opening move, opening night, orifice, porta, possibility, possible action, scuttle, spread, spread out, unfold, availability, crevice, hole, interspace, job opening, slot

Antonyms

close, closing, fold

Anagrams of opening