1
a
: a theatrical art form using dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme, or atmosphere
b
: dancing in which conventional poses and steps are combined with light flowing figures (such as leaps and turns)
2
: music for a ballet
3
: a group that performs ballets
4
: something likened to a ballet especially in complexity and precision of movement
Where else can you peek into the kitchen and see a quiet ballet of cooks, their entire attention focused on feeding a mere 65 people?—
Ruth Reichl
Ruth ReichlRather, it is people and the daily ballet of urban life that make a city.—Steven Earnest et al.
Steven Earnest et al.Examples of ballet in a Sentence
She does tap dancing and ballet.
We are going to a ballet tonight.
This is one of my favorite ballets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Knight and Seldon’s choreography incorporates modern techniques pioneered by Lester Horton, as well as old-school jazz, ballet, African and hip-hop dance styles.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
This isn’t to say that young male actors get a free pass and never get pounced on — Timothée Chalamet’s epic opera and ballet flub comes to mind.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Team the expensive-looking top with linen pants and ballet flats for brunch with friends, or wear it with kitten heels and trousers for a day of work meetings.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
And our group chats bubbled up over pillowy ‘ballet slipper lip’ products, a concealer with skin care benefits and 12 hour wear, and an innovative ‘botox in a bottle’ wrinkle serum.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballet
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Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
This isn’t to say that young male actors get a free pass and never get pounced on — Timothée Chalamet’s epic opera and ballet flub comes to mind.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Team the expensive-looking top with linen pants and ballet flats for brunch with friends, or wear it with kitten heels and trousers for a day of work meetings.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
And our group chats bubbled up over pillowy ‘ballet slipper lip’ products, a concealer with skin care benefits and 12 hour wear, and an innovative ‘botox in a bottle’ wrinkle serum.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ballet
Cite this Entry
“Ballet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballet. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ballet
noun
bal·let
ˈbal-ā 
ba-ˈlā
1
a
: an art form that uses dancing to tell a story or express a theme
b
: dancing in which poses and steps are combined with leaps and turns
2
: a group that performs ballets
Etymology
from French ballet "ballet," derived from Italian ballare "to dance," from Latin ballare "to dance" — related to ball entry 3
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