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
Dolce Vita Adelyn Perf Leather Flat Stars like Jennifer Lawrence are swapping white sneakers for more elegant ballet flats.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Getting the details right Ensuring the foundation of ballet was represented was important for all the artists, especially given how other depictions of their profession has felt lacking.
—Rainesford Stauffer, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Like Slings and Arrows, the great Canadian TV send-up of theater, Étoile satirizes the current economics of ballet and the silliness of the people in charge.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Similar to mesh ballet flats, another warm-weather shoe trend that plays with sheer materials, jelly sandals offer all-important airflow and comfort.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballet
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Nicol Natale, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Getting the details right Ensuring the foundation of ballet was represented was important for all the artists, especially given how other depictions of their profession has felt lacking.
—Rainesford Stauffer, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Like Slings and Arrows, the great Canadian TV send-up of theater, Étoile satirizes the current economics of ballet and the silliness of the people in charge.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Similar to mesh ballet flats, another warm-weather shoe trend that plays with sheer materials, jelly sandals offer all-important airflow and comfort.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballet
Cite this Entry
“Ballet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballet. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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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