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
At the trial’s start, the defendant delivered an unusual opening statement discussing the origin of humanity and international conflicts, among other irrelevant topics.
—
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
Safety Bryan Cook flashed often before leaving the game with a late neck injury, and Chamarri Conner also continued to show improvement after a rough opening week.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
With fewer job openings for critical roles — since workers stay longer and AI augments their output — there is simply less need for recruiters to find workers to fill non-critical roles.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
The last rock set to sell more copies in a single week was Fear Inoculum, which sold 248,000 in its opening stanza.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
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David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025
Safety Bryan Cook flashed often before leaving the game with a late neck injury, and Chamarri Conner also continued to show improvement after a rough opening week.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
With fewer job openings for critical roles — since workers stay longer and AI augments their output — there is simply less need for recruiters to find workers to fill non-critical roles.
—Alora Bopray, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
The last rock set to sell more copies in a single week was Fear Inoculum, which sold 248,000 in its opening stanza.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opening
Cite this Entry
“Opening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opening. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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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